BJP leader Dr Subramanian Swamy on Monday approached Supreme Court for the copy of transcripts of Niira Radia tapes on the corrupt practices in the civil aviation sector. Swamy’s move came after CBI suggested to him to approach the Income Tax Department for the transcripts. He had requested CBI for the transcripts in connection with his case on the controversial Jet-Etihad deal.
In his petition before Chief Justice P Sathasivam, Swamy sought direction to both CBI and Income Tax Dept on the Radia tapes dealing with bribery and corrupt practices in the civil aviation sector. The CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry in this aspect after the SC order by the bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi in connection with the petition filed by Ratan Tata.
The Jet-Etihad case along with application for the Radia transcripts will be heard on December 6, after the Jet Airways sought postponement of the case scheduled on November 25. According to sources, the Radia tapes contain several conversations about bribes for allotting seats to foreign airlines and role of touts and middlemen in the sector.
The apex court has issued notice to Government as well as Jet Airways and Etihad. Swamy alleged that allotment of more than 30,000 seats per week to UAE-based Etihad is against the national interest and would lead to Air India and other domestic players’ collapse. He alleged the controversial bilateral deal with UAE was nothing but a means to settle losses due to cancellation of telecom licences of Etisalat, another company owned by Arab sheikhs.