Radia-Raja tapes – Indians had the right to know the truth in the case ; Says HC

HC refuses stay on airing of Radia-Raja tapes
Headlines Today Bureau
New Delhi, May 7, 2010

The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to put a stay on an application filed by corporate lobbyist Nira Radia against Headlines Today over the airing of audio tapes in which she was heard lobbying to get A. Raja a berth as telecom minister in the UPA cabinet.

In the application, Radia had sought a permanent stay on the airing of the tapes. She has alleged that the tapes broadcast by Headlines Today are fabricated and that the conversations between Raja and her never happened.

Radia also alleged that if at all her phone conversation was being recorded, it was done in a completely illegal manner.

She alleged that the broadcast of these tapes were a gross breach of her constitutional right to privacy.

After listening to the arguments of Radia’s lawyers, the high court observed that the people of India had the right to know the truth in the case, and that the truth can be a defence in such cases.

The court also noted that the recordings were done by a government agency against whom no challenge has been filed so far.

Headlines Today has been given a week’s time to respond to the defamation suit filed against the channel.

The high court will hear the channel’s reply on May 17.