Radia tapes: SC takes note of Railway Board members' appointment

Says the scrutiny of call details reflects the issues concerning national security

Scrutiny of the taped conversations of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with influential people has revealed they were not restricted to 2G spectrum alone and “throw light on different” spheres,  including recruitment of members in the Railway Board, the Supreme Court said on Friday.

The apex court, which perused confidential reports of a 10-member committee, said the scrutiny of call details of Radia with politicians, corporates and others reflect issues concerning national security and appointments of members in the Railway Board.

Observing that “the recent issue concerning the Railway Board Member” also comes to light on scrutiny of the intercepted conversations of Radia, a bench of justices GS Singhvi and V Gopal Gowda said, “actually money is paid.”

However, it cautioned “there should not be one-sided view” and there should be a thorough probe supported by material, as the issues are “extremely serious.”

“On the aspect of the security of the nation, the report is hazy but extremely serious and needs thorough scrutiny of the call details. We would not like to have it unless some substantial material is found. They are throwing light on different aspects. Our perception was that everything was related to spectrum, etc, but it is far more wide and different altogether. There is a serious cloud on some of the issues,” the bench observed.

“On national security, you (CBI) have to be very cautious which we pointed out. Till something is found, it should not become a matter of speculation because it harms the national interest. The agencies involved must be given enough time to completely look into the matter,” the bench said.

“We will give enough time to scrutinise the entire tape either by same team or whatever team you choose or by the initial team of the income tax department which intercepted Radia’s conversation,” the bench said.