Tata seeks probe by skilled agency into leakage of Radia tapes

Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata has sought a probe by a "skilled" independent agency into the leakage of controversial tapes containing conversations of Corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with him and others, saying the probe conducted so far "hardly inspires public confidence".

Tata, who filed an affidavit before the apex court, said the government and its agencies had failed to protect the secrecy of the tapped conversations and an independent probe was required as the wire tap was done at a "fairly high level" in government departments.

"On this account (leakage of tapes), the department, which conducted the wire tap, has been under the scruitiny. Since this is all done at a fairly high level within the depatments, for any inquiry to be fair and transparent, it would have to be by done by an outside agency skilled in making investigations -- this has not been done," Tata said in his affidavit.