We can't do security assessment of all nuclear plants: SC

The Supreme Court today expressed reservation in looking into the safety aspect of all the nuclear plants saying that it did not have expertise but said it can hear the case pertaining to setting up of an independent regulatory body to oversee them.

A bench headed by Chief Justice SH Kapadia asked the petitioners, a group of civil society members, to show that they had earlier approached the concerned authority on the issue and their grievances were not addressed.

The petitioners have sought a direction for appointment of regulating body on the nuclear plants.

"These plants were constructed over the years. Every plants has its structure. We are not qualified to examine them. We cannot pass across the board norms for all reactors," the bench said at the very outset of the hearing.

"There are conflicting versions. We do not say that it (PIL) is not important," the bench said while questioning the petitioners whether they have approached the government on the issue.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioners which included former bureaucrats, scientists and NGOs, submitted that many letters were written to the Prime Minister on the issue but nothing has happened.

The bench then asked him to show those letters and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.

It also suggested that if the petitioners want to raise the issue regarding a particular plant then they should approach the High Court of the state in which it is situated.

The PIL sought court's direction for halting construction of all proposed nuclear power plants in the country till their proper security assessment is done by an independent body.