New Delhi: Describing the order allowing the forensic examination of its tapes as a "major blow to investigative journalism", Tehelka on May 9 said it was "extremely disappointed".

"We are not surprised over the judgement but we are extremely disappointed. It is a major blow to investigative journalism," Tehelka managing editor Tarun Tejpal said.

"Our tapes are genuine. But there was constant effort to derail the probe from the real issue since the expose on alleged corruption in Defence deals was made public in March 2001," he said.

"The first major judgement given by Justice Phukan overturns the crucial one given by Justice Venkataswami who had maintained on more than one occasion that there was no prima facie case for the forensic examination of the tapes," Tejpal added.

PTI