2G scam: SC gives back probe reports
Though both CBI and Enforcement Directorate came up with status reports on the progress of investigation into the spectrum 2G scam against telecom and IT minister A. Raja to the Supreme Court but it returned the reports to the probe agencies asking them to come back on October 22.
Since the top court is closing for a week for “Dushehra and Puja” holidays, a bench of Justices G.S. Singhvi and A.K. Ganguly perhaps did not want the matter to leave part heard and told a battery of senior counsel, representing Centre, Mr Raja, probe agencies and two PIL petitioners that they would hear the case in details on October 22.
Meanwhile, the bench in a brief order directed the Centre to make its stand clear on the observation of CAG in its report that irregularities in the allotment of spectrum 2G in 2007 had caused the exchequer a huge loss of `1,39,652 crores and certain other harsh comments on the spectrum allotment process. Solicitor-General Gopal Subramaniam, who appeared for the government and the probe agencies, sought time to seek “instructions” from the government on this aspect. “I have no instructions on this, I have to seek instructions,” the SG submitted.
PIL petitions for investigation and initiation of the prosecution against Mr Raja for his alleged involvement in the scam, had been filed by NGO, CPIL and Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy.
Mr Swamy has sought specific direction from the top court to the Prime Minister for granting sanction to the CBI for prosecution of Mr Raja as the PM under the law is the authority specified to grant such sanction against a minister of his government.
When Mr Swamy tried to raise the issue of sanction in the laid down procedure of law, Justice Singhvi, heading the bench said: “we will hear you in details.” He said the process for initiating prosecution was well defined requiring the CBI only to file an application before sessions judge for direction for grant of sanction but the agency was trying to “avoid” taking recourse to the laid down procedure. CPIL counsel Prashant Bhushan focused more on the CAG report, which he quoted extensively to show how Raja had “ignored” even the objections of the Prime Minister.
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Larger bench to decide on live-in alimony
New Delhi, Oct. 8: The Supreme Court on Friday held that an adulterous relationship may become matrimonial by consent and referred to a larger bench the question as to whether a woman in a live-in relationship was entitled to maintenance from her man.
The apex court said a decision on the issue was required as there was a conflict between the Protection of Women From Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and Section 125 CrPC vis-a-vis grant of maintenance to a woman in a live-in-relationship. —PTI
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