Govt initiates move to set up special court to try 2G case

Law Minister M Veerappa Moily has written to Delhi High Court Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit requesting them to take immediate steps in this regard.

He has asked them to set up a special CBI court which should exclusively deal with the trial of the 2G case. He has requested that the special court should be notified as a sessions court, which will have the power to conduct trial in money laundering cases under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Moily's letter followed the Supreme Court direction to the government on the issue on February 10.

The apex court had asked the government to set up a special court exclusively for dealing with the 2G spectrum case. CBI had informed the court that it will file the first chargesheet in 2G spectrum scam against former Telecom Minister A Raja and other accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act for cheating and forgery by March 31.

Attorney General G E Vahanvati had written to Moily suggesting him to request the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to initiate the process for nominating a judge for the purpose.

The Ministry wants the special court to be given the powers of a sessions court as the Enforcement Directorate, looking into alleged violations of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, cannot file a chargesheet in a lower court according to the provisions of the Act.