The Supreme Court has favoured widening of the ambit of the ongoing probe into the 2G spectrum case from 2001. If done it will cover the NDA period also. The apex court has also asked the centre to consider setting up a special court to deal with the scam.A bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly observed that the issue raised in the case is not only limited to 1.76 lakh crore rupees reportedly lost during the period of formerTelecom Minister A. Raja but has a much wider compass. They said what happened in 2001 also needs to be looked into when the first-come-first-served was the norm for spectrum allocation. They said, it is for the CBI to investigate and find out.The bench there was a need for a special court because of the magnitude of the offence. Otherwise the objective of the prevention of Corruption Act and Foreign Exchange Management Act – FEMA-could not be achieved. Both Houses of Parliament have been adjourned for the day as the standoff over the opposition demand for JPC probe into 2G spectrum scam continues.This is the 19th working day in a row that proceedings in Parliament have been disrupted over the issue. Except for laying of papers, no other work could be transacted.Earlier, the Lok Sabha strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Varanasi. The Speaker Mrs. Meira Kumar described the attack as cowardly and expressed sympathy for the affected families. The House also expressed profound sorrow over the killing of 170 people in the heavy rains in Tamilnadu. The members in the house stood in silence for a short while in the memory of the departed.
News On AIR | December 8, 2010 9:15 PM
‘2G scam: SC favours probe from 2001 widening ambit of investigation; Parliament adjourns for 19th day