2G scam: CBI seeks another 6 months for probe

The CBI has sought another six months from the Supreme Court to investigate the alleged 2G spectrum scam.

CBI has told the Supreme Court that it needed time to reach any definite conclusion on the role of the various players involved and till then it will not be possible for the PM to give his sanction for the prosecution of the Telecom Minister.

In January 2008, 2G spectrum was given to operators at a throwaway price of Rs. 1,658 crore for pan-India licences on a first-come-first-served basis.

Prashant Bhushan, who filed the petition in the SC asking for a probe in the alleged scam, argued that there was apprehension about the impartiality of the CBI probe. Citing the CAG report, Bhushan argued that the scam may run up to Rs. 1,39,652 crores against the earlier estimates of Rs. 70,000 crores.

Arguing for the CBI, Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium said that there will be a fair, impartial and thorough investigation. Pleading for an extension, he added that a number of agencies like the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and the IT department have to coordinate with each other and the investigation may not even be restricted to India.