The Supreme Court on Monday refused to give any direction to the Government on the appointment of an independent regulatory body to oversee nuclear plants. The apex court, however, kept the issue open by asking those against the construction of such plants to come out with the solution on nuclear safety through a “public debate” and assured them that it will “look into it”.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia said it was “conscious” of the fact that the matter was important as it concerns Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution but expressed reservation in looking into the safety aspect of all nuclear plants for its lack of expertise.

The apex court, at the same time, asked the petitioners to place before it within four weeks the models adopted by United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada other countries on the appointment of regulatory body, independent of the government and establishment, to overlook the nuclear safety.

The Supreme Court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by an NGO.