New Delhi   

U.P., Delhi drawing political mileage: court

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday criticised the Uttar Pradesh and Delhi Governments for trying to gain political mileage on the issue of tapping of Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh's telephone.

A Bench consisting of Chief Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice C.K. Thakker asked the Chief Ministers to disucss the matter seriously to end the tussle over investigations without precipitating the controversy further. The Bench said the controversy was not expected of elected governments. There should be no mistrust between them.

"It will be appropriate if the two heads of the government dispassionately discuss the matter with a view to resolving the controversy of tapping that may have taken place and further investigation be done if necessary."

Disapproving of the stand taken by the two States, the Bench said it was unfortunate the matter reached the Delhi High Court and the apex court. It "should have been sorted out at the highest government level."

The Bench regretted that even high civil servants holding sensitive positions were roped into the controversy.

It was hearing the special leave petitions filed by the Uttar Pradesh Government challenging the Delhi High Court's territorial jurisdiction in entertaining petitions in the case and issuing a contempt notice to its STF. Appearing for Uttar Pradesh, K. T. S. Tulsi alleged that the Delhi police were actively involved in the crime and wanted to shield the culprits.

He had no objection to entrusting the investigation to an independent agency other than the Delhi and Uttar Pradesh police. Soli Sorabjee, also appearing for Uttar Pradesh, said there was no justification for the Delhi police filing a contempt petition.

Additional Solicitor-General Gopal Subramanian referred to the contempt notice and said that before writing to the Delhi police about the case, the STF Inspector-General had given a media interview stating that if required the force could interrogate the Delhi Principal Secretary (Home) and Joint Commissioner of Police.

He said it was not mere cooperation sought by Uttar Pradesh as stated by counsel.

The Bench expressed its displeasure that media interviews were given when investigation of a serious matter was pending in the court. "Everyone wants political mileage. The first and foremost objective was to go into the depth of the matter but both [Delhi and Uttar Pradesh Governments] seem to have forgotten this."

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Gram Panchayat warns Sheila over demolitions
Inventions that are beyond tomorrow
U.P., Delhi drawing political mileage: court
Portraying vitality of Australian art
Chhattisgarh Act will curtail fundamental rights: Study
Fog returns to disrupt flights
Sheila Govt. making a mockery of Budget: BJP
Sheila faces public wrath
`Cong. responsible for present mess'
Supreme Court rejects Daya Nayak's plea
Fog triggers power crisis
Biggest carpet expo begins today
Telecom majors to participate in Globalcomm
Held for car theft
`Tiger conservation authority planned'
Pay Commission reference a big relief: Maken
Bastar scholars write to Manmohan Singh
Court orders Swami's release
Briefly
In The Capital Today
Law & Order

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu