Police directed to probe Essar phone tapping case: Centre

The Delhi Police has been directed to carry out a preliminary enquiry into the allegation by a lawyer against corporate major Essar that it tapped phones of high-profile people and some union ministers, the Centre told the Delhi High Court today.
In view of the submission made by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain, a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal reserved its verdict on the lawyer's PIL seeking a court-monitored probe by an SIT into the allegation of phone tapping.
The bench said it will also pass orders regarding the issue of safety and security of the petitioner, Suren Uppal, and the sensitive material or data with him.

During the brief hearing, ASG Jain suggested that the sensitive material with Uppal can be kept in the custody of the court. However, the bench did not agree with that.
The court also noted that the promoters of Essar, in their response to the PIL, have denied the allegations against the company.
Meanwhile, Uppal told the court that he had addressed a letter to the Home Secretary on June 22 regarding his and the materiel's safety and security, but has not yet received any response.

After this the court said it will pass orders on this issue.
During the hearing, the court as well as the ASG questioned why Albasit Khan, allegedly a former employee of Essar who gave the material to Uppal, contacted the petitioner and not anyone else.

The matter was taken up today after two benches had recused from hearing the matter, during the holidays, due to personal reasons.