No criminality found in Niira Radia tapes: CBI to SC

One-liner: The CBI on Wednesday told the SC that no criminality has been found following an investigation into the intercepted conversations of the corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with some politicians, businessmen, media persons, and others. 

SC wants status report: Taking note of the submissions of the probe agency, the top court directed it to file a status report on the matter.

Petition by Ratan Tata: Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the CBI, told a bench that petition filed by industrialist Ratan Tata seeking protection of the right to privacy in view of the emergence of the Radia tapes may be disposed of.

• The bench said it will hear the matter after the Dussehra vacation as there is a Constitution Bench next week

Hearing on Oct 12: Meanwhile, the CBI may file an updated status report, said the bench and posted the matter for the next hearing on Oct 12.   

Leakage of tapes: The top court was hearing Tata's petition seeking action against those involved in the leakage of the tapes which infringed his fundamental right to life, which includes the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.  

Tax evasion: He had contended that as a corporate lobbyist Radia's phone was tapped for probing alleged tax evasion and the tapes can't be used for any other purpose.

Complaint to FM: The conversations were recorded as part of surveillance of Radia's phone on a complaint to the Finance Minister on Nov 16, 2007, alleging that within nine years she had built up a business empire worth ₹300Cr. 

Source: PTI