CBI gives all clear to Chidambaram

Lily

B.R
Staff member
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) yesterday virtually baled out federal Home Minister P. Chidambaram, informing the Supreme Court that it has nothing to warrant an investigation of the minister.

Referring to the controversial Finance Ministry note that raised questions about the role played by Chidambaram in the 2G spectrum scam, the CBI told the apex court that there is nothing in it that merits investigation.

The CBI is investigating the Rs1.76 trillion (Dh128.47 billion) scam under the Supreme Court supervision, though the trial is taking place at a designated local court.

The court proceedings were marked by acrimony as the CBI strongly opposed the federal government's submission before the court that new document filed for the first time before the court will be studied and considered by the CBI.

The CBI lawyer reacted sharply to it saying it was an autonomous body and cannot be dictated by the government on what to investigate.

The CBI also said that the federal government cannot make a statement on its behalf when the government counsel stated that the CBI's next status report will cover the investigation report against Chidambaram.

The Finance Ministry note of March 25, which came to light recently, had stated that Chidambaram as the then finance minister did not take appropriate steps to prevent 2G spectrum being sold to a few, chosen telecom operators at throw-away prices.

It also suggested that Chidambaram could have forced the Department of Telecom to pursue the auction which would have fetched the government more revenue.

Jailed former telecom minister A. Raja's lawyer brought Chidambaram under the scanner again on Monday, saying all decisions pertaining to the case had been taken with Chidambaram's full knowledge. The note has snowballed into a major controversy with the opposition demanding Chidambaram's ouster as federal minister.

Chidambaram is understood to have offered to quit when he called on the ruling Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi on Monday.

Both the government and the party are trying to save Chidambaram.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee rushed to the United States to brief Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was scheduled to return last night. Mukherjee has since termed Chidambaram as a valued colleague and has said that if needed, he will issue a statement after the prime minister's return.
 
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