Set up special court for 2G scam, SC tells government

The Supreme Court today asked the government to constitute a special court exclusively for dealing with 2G spectrum case.

The CBI will file the first chargesheet in 2G spectrum scam against former telecom minister A Raja and others under Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) for cheating and forgery by 31 March, the Supreme Court was told.

The apex court said it favours a Central Bureau of Investigation probe that also covers culpability of beneficiaries of the scam as they are part of larger conspiracy. The court added that the agency must have a free hand to question anyone.

"It appears that the CBI's freedom is curtailed as it is seeking short remand of the accused," the court said.

"We have large number of persons who think themselves to be above the law. The law must catch them. Merely their being in the list of Forbes or millionaires does not make difference," the Supreme Court added.

The Supreme Court has been monitoring the CBI's investigation, which has included the arrest of Raja, who resigned in November. Raja is accused of colluding with telecom companies to bend the rules to ensure they got licenses for mobile networks at clearance sale prices. This is estimated by the Comptroller & Auditor General to have cost the exchequer Rs1.76 lakh crore.