With the role of the CBI Director Ranjit Sinha under the scanner allegedly "to derail the 2G probe into the Aircel-Maxis and the Reliance-Swan deals", an application was filed in Supreme Court on Tuesday to remove him from the ongoing investigations.
The application by NGO Centre for PIl alleged that Sinha's presence in the case was detrimental to the fair and independent probe as his role in two cases pointed out an attempt to protect some influential accused in the scam.
With the court monitoring the investigation, the application said, "Ranjit Sinha as the CBI Director has made every possible attempt to scuttle the CBI investigations in the 2G case by attempting to save Mr Maran (former Telecom Minister) and M/s Maxis, and then more brazenly attempting to save M/s Reliance and other influential accused who are already facing trial." It requested the court to order him to recuse from the probe.
The application cited the recent controversy involving CBI Director where he instructed DIG Santosh Rastogi to reverse the CBI case against Reliance but had to relent after Special Public Prosecutor UU lalit scuttled the move. lalit wrote a scathing letter to CBI Director where he indicated that the draft prepared on instructions of CBI Director ought not to be done in future. But soon after lalit was elevated as SC judge, Sinha wrote on the file instructing to "rake up" the issue after his appointment.
In the Aircel-Maxis deal probe, CBI Director thwarted attempts to chargesheet Maran by giving a view not to file charge sheet despite a contrary unanimous view by the investigating team and Director of Prosecution. Finally, the Attorney general cleared the air by directing to file charge sheet.