Finish probe in 2G, Aircel-Maxis cases in 6 months: Apex court
New Delhi, March 12
The Supreme Court today set a deadline of six months for CBI and ED to complete the probe in the 2G spectrum allocation cases and the alleged irregularities in FIPB approval to the Aircel-Maxis deal in which former finance minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram have been questioned by the agencies.
The issue of FIPB clearance in the the Aircel-Maxis deal had surfaced during the probe into the 2G spectrum related cases. The top court said it is “very unfortunate” that investigation in the 2G cases has not been completed yet and "people of this country cannot be kept in dark in a serious and sensitive case like this”.
A Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Navin Sinha, who were annoyed by the delay in completion of probe in the 2G spectrum cases, which started in 2010, said it will "haul every officer involved the case if investigation is not completed within next six months”.
“Why is there so much delay in completing the investigation in the 2G spectrum and ancilliary cases. Investigation was ordered by this court in 2010 and since then several orders have been passed but nothing has happened so far. Tell us, how much investigation is pending and why have you not been able to complete the probe yet,” the Bench said.
The apex court questioned the Centre "whether there was any invisible hand" which was delaying the investigation of the case and directed that “investigation in all aspects has to be completed in the cases by next six months”.
“This a very serious and sensitive case. You book everybody responsible in the case and investigation has to be completed in all aspects,” the Bench said.
Attorney General K K Venuopal said that in the main 2G spectrum case involving the former telecom minister, the special court has acquitted all the accused and similarly in other related cases, the accused were either acquitted or discharged. — PTI
