Will order CBI probe: SC on taped conversations of Radia

The Supreme Court today said it would direct a CBI probe into several aspects arising out of the tapped telephonic conversations of former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia with top corporate honchos and others.
The apex court, which perused the report and transcripts prepared by its specially constituted team of investigators, said "some of the items highlighted will become the subject matter of investigation".
"We will direct a thorough investigation in to all these issues. As and when the matter will arise, this court will order a CBI probe," a bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and V Gopala Gowda said.

Additional Solicitor General Paras Kuhat, who was appearing for CBI, said "we will abide by the directions of the court".
The bench was told that there are four cases in which CBI can probe but in two cases it did not have jurisdiction and the concerned states have to look into the investigation.
The bench said it will pass an order after hearing the stand of the Centre whether a CBI probe can be extended to those matters falling in the jurisdiction of the states.

It said the whole episode did not reflect a happy scenario due to delay in taking action on the leakage of the tapped conversations.

"Why did the concerned agency (Income Tax Department) not act on the leaked conversations"? the bench said.
The analysis of the conversations, done by a six-member special team constituted by the apex court and comprising five from CBI and one from Income Tax department, was placed before a bench headed by Justice Singhvi in a sealed cover.
"Officers entrusted with the task have done a commendable job. Officers said that it has to be further investigated. There are suggestions on ten issues," the bench said after going through the report.