63 CEOs of 10 telecom firms under scanner: CBI

New Delhi, Mar 1: The CBI, which is probing in 2g scam, on Tuesday, Mar 1 told the Supreme Court (SC) that sixty-three persons, including promoters and CEOs of 10 telecom firms have come under its scanner. Acknowledging the CBI's statement the SC had expressed its satisfaction over the ongoing probe.

The central government, which is also party to the case, informed a bench of justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly that it is in favour of setting up a special court to try the accused in the 2G case. The law minister has written a letter to the Delhi High Court chief justice asking him to constitute a court and identify a judge for this purpose.

"The matter is under consideration," Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaisingh told the bench, which wanted to know about the progress of investigation into the case.

Senior advocate KK Venugopal, representing the CBI, apprised the bench about the progress by the CBI and placed the probe status report in a sealed cover.

"63 persons including promoters and CEOs of 10 companies have come under the scanner of the CBI in its probe into the 2G Spectrum scam," Venugopal said.

The bench has asked the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its report about the investigation before Mar 10. Later, apex court adjourned the matter for further hearing on Mar 15.

Senior advocate Harish Salve, appearing for Tata group of companies, meanwhile, pleaded for in-camera proceedings.

After perusing the CBI's probe status report the bench said, "We have a large number of persons who think themselves to be the law. Law must catch them. It should be done with greater expedition. Merely that they are on the Forbes list or they are millionaires does not make any difference."

"This investigation has led to prima-facie conclusion about the culpability of four persons. What about the beneficiaries. They are part of a larger conspiracy. We want to know about them. You (CBI) take instructions and tell us what action you are planning to take," the bench had told the CBI.

PTI