HC refuses SIT probe in Essar phone tapping case

July 20, 2016 02:33 am | Updated November 17, 2021 04:47 am IST - NEW DELHI:

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday refused to order a court-monitored probe by an SIT into the allegation that corporate major Essar tapped phones of high-profile persons and some union ministers.

A Bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal said any interference by the court is not warranted as the Centre has already asked the Delhi Police to investigate the matter.

The Centre had during a previous hearing told the court that Delhi Police has been directed to look into the matter.

The Bench on Tuesday said that in view of the submission made 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.

Uppal had claimed to have received the sensitive material from a former security head of Essar, Albasit Khan. Khan had denied the claim.

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