2G: SC raps CBI for prolonging probe sans trial

With most of the accused in the 2G case languishing in jail for seven months, the Supreme Court on Thursday turned on the Central Bureau of Investigation for the first time, asking the agency how long it planned to continue with the investigation.

The court's remarks came during the CBI's arguments against granting bail to Unitech managing director Sanjay Chandra, Swan Telecom director Vinod Goenka, DB co-promoter Vinod Goenka, and senior Reliance ADAG executives Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair, who are accused of using unfair means to obtain spectrum cheaply in 2008.

"For how many days are they going to be behind bars? Seven months are already down the line. Will it be over in seven years even if the proceedings before the trial court are conducted on a day-to-day basis? The charges are yet to be framed. You (the CBI) have to tell us the justification for keeping them behind bars," a bench of Justices G S Singhvi and H L Dattu said.

Arguing against bail, the CBI referred to the ''gravity of the offence''. This prompted Justice Dattu to say, ''We have seen paper book after paper book being filed, rolled-up chargesheets filed, witnesses after witnesses being called ... this has been going on without a trial for months together now.''

The remarks provided a ray of hope for the accused, who are struggling to get bail.

Additional solicitor general Harin Raval said CBI apprehended that given the grave nature of the crime, there was every possibility that the accused would try to tamper with evidence and attempt to influence witnesses.