2G: SC directs CBI, ED to finish probe in 6 months
NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Monday directed investigating agencies CBI and ED to complete their probe into the 2G spectrum allocation cases and other related matters in six months.
NEWDELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to wrap up all 2G scam-related probes, including the Aircel-Maxis case, in six months, stating that people “cannot be left in the dark”.
Pulling up the agencies for the ‘delay’, a bench of Justice Arun Mishra told Attorney General KK Venugopal, who is assisting the court in the matter: “This is an important question for the citizens. Why is there so much delay? Is there any individual hand and that is why you cannot proceed? Citizens of this country cannot be left in the dark.”
“We will haul up every officer if the probe is not over (in six months). This cannot be kept pending for long,” the court added.
Former finance minister P Chidambaram’s son, Karti Chidambaram, is facing investigation in the Aircel-Maxis case and the ED had recently issued orders attaching his and his two firms’ properties.
“Mr Attorney (General) this is a very shocking state of affairs. This case is significant for the people of this country. Why is the investigation taking so long? We want answers to all the questions raised by the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) in his report. We will not give you more time and this is not a happy state of affairs,” the court said. It asked for a report on the status of the probe and fixed April 3 to hear the matter again.
Defending the probe agencies, Venugopal said CBI and ED have not been able to proceed with the investigation because they haven’t received a response from the Malaysian government to the Letters Rogatory issued against Aircel owner, T Ananda Krishnan.
The apex court also relieved senior advocate Anand Grover, who was appointed by it in 2014 as Special Public Prosecutor in the 2G case, and approved the centre’s appointment of additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta in his place.