The Supreme Court today ensured the continuance of Senior Advocate KK Venugopal in 2G scam cases despite his removal by the Centre. A Bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu appointed him as amicus curiae to assist the court in 2G cases after slamming the Centre for his removal as counsel for the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Bench, which included Justice Arun Mishra, passed an order directing the CBI and the ED to continue to share with Venugopal all documents pertaining to their investigation in 2G cases to enable him to assist the court in the matter.
The court’s order came on a plea by counsel Prashant Bhushan who appeared for Centre for PIL (CPIL), which was instrumental in getting an SC order cancelling all the 2G licences granted in 2008 by the then Telecom Minister A Raja at 2001 prices.
Bhushan said the ED had first removed Venugopal for his opposition to the removal of the directorate’s Deputy Director Rajeshwar Singh from the investigation team. Now the CBI had also decided to drop the senior advocate at the instance of the government. Since the investigation in 2G cases was nearing completion, removing Venugopal, who had handled the cases right from the beginning, would weaken the prosecution case against the accused, he pleaded and suggested that the court appoint him as amicus. Acknowledging that there was a move to remove him, Venugopal said today was perhaps the last time he was representing the CBI in the 2G case. Almost the entire probe was over, barring the Aircel-Maxis deal, he said.
At this, the Bench said, “We want you to assist us. We know how to tell them (CBI and ED).” It then passed an order stating that “KK Venugopal, respected learned senior counsel, will continue to assist us” in his capacity as amicus.
The Bench, which included Justice Arun Mishra, passed an order directing the CBI and the ED to continue to share with Venugopal all documents pertaining to their investigation in 2G cases to enable him to assist the court in the matter.
The court’s order came on a plea by counsel Prashant Bhushan who appeared for Centre for PIL (CPIL), which was instrumental in getting an SC order cancelling all the 2G licences granted in 2008 by the then Telecom Minister A Raja at 2001 prices.
Bhushan said the ED had first removed Venugopal for his opposition to the removal of the directorate’s Deputy Director Rajeshwar Singh from the investigation team. Now the CBI had also decided to drop the senior advocate at the instance of the government. Since the investigation in 2G cases was nearing completion, removing Venugopal, who had handled the cases right from the beginning, would weaken the prosecution case against the accused, he pleaded and suggested that the court appoint him as amicus. Acknowledging that there was a move to remove him, Venugopal said today was perhaps the last time he was representing the CBI in the 2G case. Almost the entire probe was over, barring the Aircel-Maxis deal, he said.
At this, the Bench said, “We want you to assist us. We know how to tell them (CBI and ED).” It then passed an order stating that “KK Venugopal, respected learned senior counsel, will continue to assist us” in his capacity as amicus.
