I've right to privacy, media can't violate it: Tata

Tata group chief Ratan Tata on Tuesday submitted to the Supreme Court that despite being a public figure he has the right to privacy and the media cannot violate it by publishing or telecasting his private conversations contained in Radia tapes.

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"I am entitled to the freedom of privacy and the right to privacy. I have a right to be left alone," advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Tata, said before a bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi.

"Does public figure have no private life? There has to be responsible journalism. There is a difference between public interest and interest of public which includes gossips," Rohatgi said while pointing out that the media should not have broadcast and publish his private conversations.

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"Nobody has the right to disseminate my private conversations," he further said.

The court was hearing Tata's petition seeking action against those involved in the leakage of the tapes alleging the leakage amounts to infringement of his fundamental right to Life, which includes the right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.

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Tata had contended that as corporate lobbyist Niira Radia's phone was tapped for probing alleged tax evasion, the tapes cannot be used for any other purpose.

The government authorities had tapped 180 days of Radia's conversations -- first from August 20, 2008, onwards for 60
days and then from October 19 for another 60 days.

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Later, on May 11, 2009, her phone was put on surveillance for yet another 60 days following a fresh order given on May 8.

The government had begun tapping Radia's telephone on a complaint alleging she was indulging in anti-nationalactivities and was acting as spy of foreign intelligence agencies.