SC expresses anguish over ED's decision to remove Venugopal

Chief Justice of India Hl Dattu on Monday expressed anguish over the Enforcement Directorate’s decision to remove senior advocate KK Venugopal as its special counsel in the 2G scam case.Speaking to Venugopal as he appeared in a case before CJI, Justice Dattu asked the veteran lawyer who was recently conferred Padma Vibhushan if the decision of ED was a result of Court’s order causing him this embarrassment. The Court had stayed the ED’s decision to repatriate Deputy Director Rajeshwar Singh after Veugopal supported the officer sought to be removed midway the probe into the Aircel-Maxis deal.

“Yes, it was on account of that order,” Venugopal informed Court announcing that following the report he had conveyed to ED his decision not to represent the agency in the matter anymore. The 2G matters are listed on July 27. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy too had filed an application in the 2G matter to stall Singh’s transfer.