Supreme Court on 2G spectrum allocation

On Oct 29th, the Supreme Court expressed its displeasure over footdragging by investigative agencies on the alleged scandal in allocation of 2G spectrum. So far so good.

However what is worrisome is that the apex court went on to say, "The CBI has not done anything. The matter is serious. THE SAME MINISTER IS STILL CONTINUNG TODAY."

Judiciary has every right, and in fact the duty also, to stress that investigations should be expedited. But is the court justified in jumping to the conclusion that the minister is guilty even before the investigation and court  proceedings are completed?

The following was blogged a year back on 27th Oct 2009. Nonetheless the supreme court is not expected to prejudge the issue. That right is available for lesser mortals only !

" October 27, 2009


Scam, what scam?

The whole country may be talking about the telecom loot in which new licences were issued and spectrum allocated at throwaway prices duping the exchequer of Rs.22000 crore or Rs.60000 crore depending on whether you trust the CBI or the opposition parties. But Mr.A.Raja, the Communications and IT minister, is unfazed. He has rhetorically asked, "Where is the question of any scam? I ONLY FOLLOWED MY PREDECESSORS and carried out the entire process as per laid norms ------". I was wondering who the predecessor could be.

Former Communications minister, Sukh Ram was sentenced to 3 years of rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs.1 lac by a CBI special court in New Delhi on 5th July 2002 for indulging in corruption by favouring a private party at the cost of Rs.1.68 crore to the public exchequer. The judge said, "Being the head of the ministry, he was expected to act in public interest , but he betrayed the trust imposed upon him---If the minister himself abuses his position, it will hardly be possible for him to check abuse by the other public servants working under him."

Poor Sukh Ram! He was defrauding the nation by a paltry Rs.1.68 crore. He did not belong to a party that had enough leverage in the cabinet to claim as Mr.Raja has done,"All decisions were taken in consultation with the Prime Minister. Let the CBI investigate and if anyone is found guilty, law will take its own course." In other words, if the minister is guilty, so too is the prime minister! If the minister is to be arrested, the prime minister also should accompany him to the prison!

Should the minister resign since the CBI has raided his ministry? The minister has answered himself. "Where is the question of resignation? I have done no wrong." Touche! "