Exclusive: Suren Uppal Says Essar Tried to Stop Him, Bury Tapes

In the Essar leaks case, lawyer Suren Uppal alleges that Essar Group met with him to try and suppress the evidence.

The Essar Group allegedly tapped the phones of VVIP corporates, bureaucrats and politicians between 2001 and 2006. (Photo: Liju Joseph)

In an explosive interview to The Quint, Supreme Court lawyer Suren Uppal revealed that he was approached twice by the Essar Group before the tapped conversations were reported in the media. He alleges that Essar Group members tried to suppress the matter and stop him from pursuing a case. Here is how the interview unfolded:

Were you ever approached by the Ruias or anybody from Essar Group?

Yes, It has happened twice, once I was with Mr Basit when I had interacted. At that stage, it was about ensuring that this case should not be taken up. But I was there only to ensure that there was no tap, and because of my own curiosity that there is some truth in the case. And the fact that the company owned up to whatever they have done, which was very apparent in their conduct. Later on, I had another chance to meet them with my office colleague. Again in that case, there was persuasion to not take up the matter.

Who all were present at the meeting?  

Apart from my office colleague, there were two people who accompanied a family member of Ruia.

During the meeting, did they offer you a bribe?

I will not go in the specifics of the meeting. But I can only say that the whole objective of that meeting was to ensure that there is no further proceedings from my end as far this case is considered.

Uppal also pointed out that the Essar tapes reveal how bigwigs of the corporate world tried to control the government and judiciary.

Certain aspects of the tapes directly relate to the way the Parliament has functioned, the way the executive has functioned. The influence on the judiciary, the autonomous agencies, and also the media. The whole idea was that I could bring forth not all, but certain aspects of a nexus or unholy influence of certain corporates on almost all walks of life and every pillar of our democracy.

Suren Uppal

In the Public Interest Litigation submitted to the Delhi High Court, Uppal has demanded personal security, as he fears that some vested interests might try to sabotage the tapes before they reach the court.

As of today I am guarding conversation in CD format, and certain incriminating documents and log books. Until these are secured for the purpose of further investigation, they will not go anywhere. So my security is important because the tapes are of utmost relevance to further proceedings.

Suren Uppal