SC asks govt to submit probe report on Radia tape leakage row

“The issue is of substantial public importance,” the bench said referring to the petition.

The Centre had earlier told the court it was taking the issue of leakage of seriously and on December 27,2010,the Ministry of Finance had appointed two senior officers to inquire into the leakage.

“The government views the disclosure of such information seriously and in this context,an inquiry has been ordered,” the government had stated in an affidavit.

Counsel Mukul Rohtagi,appearing for Tata,urged the apex court to lay down guidelines for the media to observe in reporting such conversations.

He submitted that while the freedom of the press was vital,an individual’s right to privacy was also equally important and hence a balance has to be struck to avoid

conflict of interests.

The apex court had earlier decided to examine the issues raised by Tata,including the questions of the right to privacy and the right to freedom of speech and expression as envisaged under the Constitution.

The court had on December 2 last issued notices to the Centre and news magazines ‘Open’ and ‘Outlook’ which had published some portions of the transcripts of Radia’s conversations with several people including Tata.