The Supreme Court today commenced the hearing on two pleas related to the 2G spectrum case seeking a probe into the alleged role of the Home Minister Mr P. Chidambaram.
The apex court also asked the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the Income-Tax Department to submit within three weeks a status report on their investigation in the case.
One of the pleas taken up on Wednesday was filed by the NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), represented by advocate Mr Prashant Bhushan.
It sought the court's directions to the CBI to conduct a thorough investigation into the role of the Finance Ministry under the then Finance Minister Mr Chidambaram in the 2G case.
The NGO wanted the probe to be carried out under the supervision of the apex court and assisted by the Central Vigilance Commissioner and the senior Vigilance Commissioner.
Mr Chidambaram was the Finance Minister during the tenure of the then Telecom Minister Mr A. Raja when the 2G licences were issued in 2008.
The apex court also took up a similar plea by the Janata Party President, Dr Subramanian Swamy.
The NGO alleged that Mr Chidambaram was “micromanaging everything and was keeping a close eye on all developments” on the 2G spectrum allocation.
Representing the CBI, senior advocate Mr K.K. Venugopal claimed that the NGO's contentions were on the basis of the same documents on which the court had earlier passed an order. He added that since the facts are the same, the application is not maintainable.
But Dr Swamy said contrary to the CBI's claims that the apex court had said there was no case for further probe against Mr Chidambaram, the court only stated that the Special Court would hear the matter.
The apex court will take up the case again on April 11.
Dr Swamy had moved the Supreme Court against the Special Court's order which had dismissed his plea to make Mr Chidambaram, an accused in the 2G case.
Dr Swamy alleged that Mr Chidambaram “conspired” with Mr A. Raja in taking two decisions: (a) on keeping the 2G spectrum prices (in 2008) at 2001 level; and (b) allowing dilution of equity by the two companies – Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless, which had obtained the 2G licence – even before roll-out of their services.
However, the Special Court on February 4 had rejected Dr Swamy's plea due to ‘lack of evidence'.