2G: No case against Chidambaram in 2G scam, says SC

Finance minister P Chidambaram is off the hook in the 2G spectrum case, as the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea for making him a co-accused in the 2G spectrum case, saying there was absolutely no evidence to link him to any conspiracy in the cheap allocation of spectrum in 2008-09.

"No case is made out against P Chidambaram and the special leave petition filed against the judgment of the special CBI court is not liable to be entertained. Accordingly, the SLP is rejected," a bench comprising justices G S Singhvi and K S Radhakrishnan said.

The petition was filed by Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy seeking a direction for a probe against Chidambaram and for making him a co-accused along with former telecom minister Andimuthu Raja.

The apex court said the mere meeting of Chidambaram with Raja is not sufficient to infer a conspiracy to lower the price of spectrum or its alleged irregular allotment. It said meeting of ministers among themselves or with the Prime Minister cannot be cited as evidence to suggest wrong-doing.

The bench also said there is no evidence to infer that Chidambaram had either abused his official position to earn pecuniary benefit to himself, A Raja or anyone.

The bench said there was "no prima facie material" that Chidambaram got any pecuniary benefit nor was there any material on record to prove that he, as the then finance minister, abused his official position.