New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has asked the government to present in a sealed cover a copy of the complaint which led to Niira Radia's phones being tapped in 2008 and 2009.
Close to 6000 phone conversations between Radia, a powerful PR executive and a range of politicians, industrialists and others were recorded and have been transcribed by the CBI.
Industrialist Ratan Tata who was a client of Radia's and is on tape, had taken the government to court for leaking the tapes to the media and for violating his right to privacy. Two magazines that published the transcripts of the Radia tapes were served notice in the case earlier this month.
In an affidavit filed last week, the government told the court it had begun tapping Radia's telephone on a complaint that she had built a business empire of Rs. 300 crore in a short span of nine years. The complaint also alleged that she was indulging in anti-national activities and was acting as spy of foreign intelligence agencies.
The court said on Monday, "We make it clear nobody's image should be tarnished. Every individual has the right to protect his dignity." The judges also warned the media to report carefully on Tata's case.
"We would like to say that over the last three weeks, there were distorted proceedings of the court. So far we have ignored it. But don't take the risk of hauled up. Nobody will be allowed to play with the court. Use restraint."
While acknowledging the role of the media as "watchdogs," the court said, "They should not cross the lakshman rekha..."