Despite Govt Order, Delhi Police Yet to Begin Essar Tapes Probe

Senior police officials deny any knowledge about the preliminary investigation into the phone-tapping controversy.

Is the Essar Tapes matter too hot for the government to handle? (Photo: The Quint)

The Quint has learnt from sources that Delhi Police has not yet initiated a preliminary inquiry (PE) into the controversial Essar tapes case. The tapes brought to light a deep-rooted political-corporate nexus during the NDA-I regime.

On 11 July, the Attorney Solicitor General of the Delhi High Court (HC) said that the government had already ordered Delhi Police to conduct a preliminary inquiry. Why did Delhi Police then not act on the order? Is it because high-profile corporates and politicians are involved?

So far no one from the Delhi Police has contacted me about the Essar tapes. Since I am the complainant, they should have at least recorded my statement to begin a Preliminary Inquiry.

Suren Uppal, Complainant

According to the Attorney Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, the PMO sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ordering the Delhi Police to begin PE into the matter.

The PMO sent the letter to MHA just a few days before informing the HC on 11 July. Delhi Police should begin the investigation if they haven’t yet.

Sanjay Jain, Attorney Solicitor General

The Quint contacted several top Delhi Police officials but no one could answer why the investigation hasn’t begun.

The matter has not been referred to me. I have no knowledge about any PE in the Essar tapes case.

Taj Hasan, Special Commissioner of Police

Even the special cell of the Delhi Police, which generally investigates phone-tapping cases, has not been intimated about this controversial case. “We are not conducting any inquiry in the Essar tapes,” said Arvind Deep, Commissioner of Police, Special Cell.

The Quint was first to publish these tapes and their transcripts in the public domain. Mobile phones of corporate honchos, bureaucrats, and politicians were tapped by the Essar company over several years since 2001. According to the complainant Suren Uppal, the sensitive tapes are still in his possession.

I am planning to file a petition in the Supreme Court. This matter cannot be brushed under the carpet. It requires court-monitored investigation for a fair trail.

Suren Uppal, Complainant

Like the 2G scam and the Radia tapes, the Essar tapes is yet another example of how corporates and industrialists manipulate decision-makers of the government, and exposes the deep-rooted corrupt practices in different ministries. Not just the Modi government, but also a section of the media was criticised for not reporting on the controversial phone-tapping case. Now the question remains – Will the high-profile industrialists manage to get away, or will they be nabbed?