Tape tests for Indian 'corruption'

A commission of inquiry in India has ordered detailed forensic examination of videotapes in which senior politicians and officials were filmed allegedly asking for bribes.

The head of the one-man commission, former Indian Supreme Court judge S N Phukan, said the examination would aim to establish that the tapes were authentic and had not been tampered with.

It was ordered in response to a request by the leader of the Samata Party, Jaya Jaitly.

The news website Tehelka, which released the tapes two years ago, said the move was a delaying tactic.

The release of the tapes rocked the Indian government and caused the leaders of at least two major parties to resign.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service