High Court refuses to interfere in Essar phone tapping matter

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court today refused to direct a court-monitored probe by an SIT into the allegation that corporate major Essar tapped phones of high-profile people and some union ministers, saying the Centre has already asked the Delhi Police to investigate the matter.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said that in view of the submission made during arguments by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Sanjay Jain that Delhi Police has been directed to probe the allegations in the PIL, "interference by this court is not warranted".

With this observation, the bench disposed of the plea by a lawyer, Suren Uppal, who wanted a court-monitored SIT probe.

The court, in its judgement, gave liberty to Uppal to take steps as suggested by ASG Jain for ensuring safe custody of the sensitive material and tapes with him.

The ASG, during the arguments, had said that the issue of custody of the sensitive material and tapes with Uppal can be dealt with by the Home Secretary.