The Supreme Court on Friday decided to examine whether mobile phone towers emitting electro magnetic waves cause very high radiation and it is hazardous to human beings and animals.
A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justices Ms. R. Banumathi and Uday Lalit asked the petitioners to submit scientific reports, if any, to show that mobile towers cause radiation, and it is harmful.
The Bench was hearing a batch of appeals from various High Courts relating to erection of mobile towers in towns and cities. The Rajasthan High Court held that such mobile towers are harmful and ordered all base towers for fourth generation (4G) telecom services to be removed.
The High Court held that radiations emitted from mobile phones and mobile base towers are "hazardous to children and patients". The court also asked all mobile companies with towers in Rajasthan to relocate these from a periphery of 500 meters from prisons and those falling within a 100-meter distance of ancient and archaeological heritage monuments.
The court emphasised that electromagnetic radiations emitted from cellphones as well as mobile towers have both thermal and non-thermal effects, that is, these waves cook human tissues just like a microwave oven would if a body is exposed to these radiation for long. However, Himachal and Delhi High Courts have dismissed petitions challenging erection of mobile towers and the apex court is dealing with all appeals.
During the hearing on Friday, senior counsel for the PIL petitioners argued that mobile towers are harmful and the ban on erection of such towers should continue. Counsel Prashant Bhushan submitted that he would produce a number of scientific reports to prove the harmful effects of mobile towers. However, senior counsel L. Nageswara Rao, appearing for service providers rejected the claim and said there is no conclusive proof that there is radiation from mobile towers and these towers have harmful effects on human beings.
The CJI asked the counsel as to what is the position in foreign countries and said in London there are no mobile towers. Unless you are able to show the harmful effects of radiation from mobile towers on scientific basis we can't pass any order.
Counsel replied that in foreign countries mobile towers are erected outside the city and boosters are erected at various points to transmit signals. This system is not being followed in India as service providers will have to incur huge costs for erection of boosters.
The CJI observed that one retired judge who died of cancer had written a book in which he says he was afflicted with cancer as he was using mobile phones for longer hours and even holding conferences on mobile phones. The CJI said though it is not sure whether the cancer was as a result of mobile phones or not.
The Bench asked counsel to file additional affidavits in support of the claim that mobile towers cause radiation along with scientific reports if any to this effect and posted the matter for further hearing after two weeks.
