2G scam: CBI probe now covers 63 persons, SC told

The Central Bureau of Investigation today told the Supreme Court that 63 persons, including promoters and chief executives of 10 telecom companies, are being investigated in the 2G spectrum allocation case. The apex court seemed satisfied with the explanation.

The union government, which is also party to the case, informed a bench of justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly that it is in favour of setting up a special court to try the accused in the 2G case and the law minister has written a letter to the Delhi high court chief justice asking him to constitute a court and identify a judge for this purpose.

"The matter is under consideration," additional solicitor general Indira Jaisingh told the bench, which wanted to know about the progress of investigation into the case.

The bench asked the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to place before it their reports about the investigation by 10 March and posted the matter for further hearing on 15 March.

Senior advocate K K Venugopal, representing the CBI, apprised the bench about the progress by the CBI and placed the probe status report in a sealed cover.

"Sixty-three persons including promoters and CEOs of 10 companies have come under the scanner of the CBI in its probe into the 2G spectrum scam," Venugopal said.