SC admits govt petition against 2G scam ruling

The Supreme Court on Friday admitted the government’s plea for review of the 2G verdict mandating distribution of natural resources only through auction but not before describing the petition as “mere” apprehension.

A special bench of Justices G S Singhvi and K S Radhakrishnan sought responses from NGO petitioner Centre for Public Interest Litigation and Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy on the matter.

The court, however, thwarted the attempt by telecom companies seeking permission to make a plea on reconsideration of the February 2 judgment, which cancelled 122 2G spectrum licences of 11 companies.

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising sought “appropriate time” to address the court at length on practical difficulty which came in the way of the government in implementing the verdict. “We clarify that we need not question the order… we accept the proposition that whatever method we adopt it should be fair,” she said.

“We want to know the road-map… how to tread (on the path of distribution of natural resources),” she said referring to the national resources like housing, water etc.

“Your (government’s) apprehension about extension of auction to allocation of other natural resources appeared to be an apprehension only,” the bench said. Jaising, on her part, however, contested the observation saying it was not merely an apprehension.

The bench said it would indicate a date for hearing the review petition in an open court. It, however, clarified that the issuance of notice in the matter did not mean a stay on the operation of its directives in the judgment cancelling the licences and asking allocation of spectrum through auction only.

During the proceedings, senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi and Harish Salve, appearing for the telecom companies whose review petitions had already been dismissed, wanted the court to hear them but the court refused to allow their contention.

They contended that while the Supreme Court had cancelled their licences, the telecom regulator Trai had directed them not to close their operations abruptly.

Don’t play tricks: Judge to 2G accused

The repeated “major mistakes” in the applications filed by various accused in the 2G scam came under criticism of the special judge who warned them not to play such “tricks.” 

Special CBI Judge O P Saini, who is hearing the case on a day-to-day basis, said out of 410 applications being filed by the defence counsel till date in the case, around 200 pleas contained major mistakes.

The judge said this after Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd Director Karim Morani, facing trial in the case and presently on bail, filed application seeking exemption from personal appearance from April 16 to 19 on the ground that he has to attend the upcoming IPL matches on April 15 and 18.