Plea Against ED Officer Probing 2G Scam: SC Adjourns Swamy's Plea For Tomorrow, Directs Personal Presence Of Petitioner

A vacation Bench of the Supreme Court of India has adjourned the application filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking to intervene in PIL seeking directions to examine the alleged amassing of disproportionate assets by Enforcement Directorate officer Rajeshwar Singh. The Bench has directed the petitioner to appear before the tomorrow.

Singh is leading the investigation in the 2G spectrum scam as well as the 2006 Aircel-Maxis matter which involves former Finance Minister P Chidambaram and his son Karthi Chidambaram.

On Tuesday, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, seeking to intervene in the said writ petition, drew the attention of the vacation bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul to the order dated May 6, 2011 of the court on a contempt petition in the 2G matter:

“On 5.5.2011, a communication was sent to Shri Rajeshwar Singh by one Shri Subodh Jain, who described himself as reporter of Sahara Samay, asking him to answer 25 questions with an indication that Sahara News Network is planning to do a series of stories based on the documents allegedly in its possession… We are prima facie satisfied that an attempt has been made to interfere with the investigation being conducted by Shri Rajeshwar Singh in what has been described as 2G Scam and related matters by trying to pressurise him not to proceed with the investigation qua certain individuals. Therefore, we take suo motu cognisance and direct issue of notice...”

“The court had directed that Mr. Singh shall continue...the present complaint made after seven years of that order is just as scurrilous...,” Swamy contended.

When the bench inquired as to what relief he wanted, Swamy prayed, “That Mr. Singh be permitted to carry on the investigation until the six-month deadline (set by the Supreme Court vide order dated March 12 for the completion of the probe pertaining to the 2G scam) is over...”

“I also wish to produce evidence to show how scurrilous the writ petition is...there is a letter in Hindi in the Jagran newspaper...”, he sought to continue.

As the petitioner was not present in person or through a counsel, the bench adjourned the hearing to Wednesday. Senior counsel RS Suri appeared on behalf of Singh on a contempt plea filed against Kapur, while ASG Vikramjit Bannerjee represented the state.

Last week, while making a mention before a bench of Justice Abdul Nazeer and Justice Indu Malhotra, Swamy had submitted, “On June 5, a fresh writ petition has been filed arising out of the Aircel Maxis matter where I have been the principal petitioner...this court has (on March 12) directed all investigation to be completed within six months...the claim of disproportionate assets have been raised against investigator in this petition...the purpose is only to delay the matter for the benefit if powerful people...this has happened before also...”