The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stay the trial in the 2G case even as it issued notice on an application by Reliance Telecom to seek access to the secret CBI file noting and other documents deposited in sealed cover in the court following the investigating agency’s Director Ranjit Sinha’s controversial role to influence the investigations.
The bench headed by Justice Hl Dattu directed the CBI and its Director Ranjit Sinha to respond to the application presented to the court by senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani. Although the CBI special counsel KK Venugopal objected to the application and sought its dismissal, Jethmalani asked the court only to issue notice on it.
Taken by surprise by this demand, the bench told Venugopal, “There must be some catch in it which we are not in a position to get.” With issuance of notice, Jethmalani sought stay of the trial as the court put up the case for hearing next on October 29. But the bench turned down the request saying, “What we have not done earlier we won’t do now.”
On the next date, court will also hear petitions filed by Reliance, Essar Group and other accused in the 2G case who demanded quashing of charges against them. Essar claimed that it was chargesheeted for cheating which did not require consideration by 2G court but since the apex court held it to be a case arising from 2G case, it was part of same trial. The court decided to hear Essar plea on the next date.