2G: don’t order Chidambaram probe, CBI tells SC

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday again argued against probing home minister P Chidambaram (formerly the finance minister) in connection with the 2G spectrum scam, telling the Supreme Court that if it entertained Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy's plea for a into Chidambaram's alleged role, it would seriously undermine the central investigating agency's autonomy.

Appearing for the CBI, advocate K K Venugopal contended before a bench of Justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly that the CBI functioned autonomously, although under the supervision of the Central Vigilance Commission.

"Even the CVC is barred from directing the CBI on the manner in which investigations are to be carried out. The SC will help the CBI keep its autonomy by not directing the agency to investigate a particular person," he said.

Venugopal said that the investigations into the 2G spectrum scam had been closely monitored by the apex court. "But now, applications are moved to request the SC to direct the CBI to conduct investigations in a particular manner and against a particular person to arraign him as an accused," he said.

Swamy alleged that Chidambaram and A Raja had jointly decided the price of spectrum and hence the CBI should investigate whether the then finance minister had a "meeting of mind" with Raja on this issue, were spectrum and licences were allegedly allotted at ultra-cheap rates to select operators.

Venugopal said Supreme Court's role has come to an end as far as the conspiracy angle is concerned, since the trial has commenced.