Sibal gets a rap in the knuckle from SC

New Delhi, Jan 21: The Supreme Court on Friday, Jan 21 slammed the Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal for undermining the CAG report on the 2G scam and asked him to behave with some sense of responsibility. The SC also instructed the CBI to go head with the probe, without getting influenced by Telecom Minister's attitude.

"It is unfortunate. The minister should behave with some sense of responsibility," the bench comprising Justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly said.

The court said, "Kapil Sibal's statement on Comptroller and Auditor General of India ( CAG), that estimate of loss in 2G scam, was utterly erroneous. The minister must behave with some responsibility. His statement will have no bearing on CBI investigations."

"When the court has placed so much faith in the CAG report and has asked CBI to act according to it and proceed on that basis, the attack of Kapil Sibal on the CAG was only uncalled for," said Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy, to reporters.

The CAG has estimated a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crores to the exchequer in allocation of 2G spectrum during the tenure of former Telecom Minister A Raja.

"In our opinion, the CBI which is conducting investigation into the 2G scam is expected to carry out the probe without being influenced by the statement made by anybody, anywhere, including the press," the bench said.

Earlier, the apex court sent notices to the companies, demanding their explanation over their alleged participation in 2G mega scam. According to CAG report, out of 122 license issued, 85 license awarded to the companies , those who even fail to meet the eligibility criteria.

The companies that have been issued notices are Etisalat, S-Tel, Uninor, Loop Telecom, Videocon, Allianz Infra, Idea Cellular, Tata Teleservices, Sistema Shyam Teleservices, Dishnet Wireless and Vodafone-Essar.

The bench had also asked the response from the Department of Telecom and the companies by Feb 1. It had also pleaded with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to answer the petition.

OneIndia News
(With inputs from PTI)