The Phukan Commission of Inquiry on Wednesday ordered sending of 16 Tehelka tapes to London for forensic examination along with a packet carrying notes by various cross-examination noticees marking the disputed portions in the tapes.
The commission will maintain a confidential file containing the order identifying the name of the expert and the said order will not be disclosed to any party now keeping in 'view of the security and other aspects', Justice Phukan said in New Delhi.
Besides a sealed box containing 15 Hi8 tapes and one DV tape, other things to be sent include a sealed packet containing keys of the box and a sample of the seal of the commission, transcript of the tapes given by Tehelka and revised by the government, the order said.
Disputed portions of the transcripts submitted by Samata Party leader Jaya Jaitly, CD used by her expert witness Milin Kapoor during his deposition, deposition of all other experts, sonogram prepared by Kapoor and produced by him during demonstration, affidavit of Tehelka reporter Anirudha Bahal on technical aspects and regarding make, number etc of the instruments used for recording the tapes will also be sent for the expert's opinion.
"The Union of India shall issue necessary instructions to the security and other departmental authorities for providing adequate security to the sealed box containing the tapes and also to the officer carrying the same," the order said.
The government will also take steps to ensure that the box and the packet are not opened by any authority, including customs officers, and the same are not subjected to any magnetic interference, it said.