SC go-ahead to probe ED officer investigating 2G case
New Delhi, June 27: The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the government to probe into allegations against a top Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer who is probing the high profile 2G and Aircel-Maxis cases.
Senior Congress leader and former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram are being probed for alleged irregularities and graft in the grant of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance in Aircel-Maxis case.
The allegations against ED Joint Director Rajeshwar Singh were mentioned in a report submitted before the top court in a sealed envelope on Wednesday.
A vacation bench of Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul also modified their earlier March 16, 2011, order that said that "no one including the newspapers shall interfere with the functioning of the CBI team and the officers of the Enforcement Directorate who are investigating".
Rajeshwar Singh was heading the ED team probing the 2G cases.
By the March 16, 2011, order the court had said it would take "serious cognizance of any endeavour made by any person or group of persons" to interfere with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the ED probe into the 2G scam cases.
Taking note that the charge-sheet has already been filed in the Aircel-Maxis case, the court on Wednesday said it was up to the government to take a call whether Singh was further required in the trial or investigation of the 2G and Aircel-Maxis cases.
At the outset of hearing in the pre-lunch session, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Vikramjit Banerjee handed over to the bench a report in a sealed cover levelling "serious allegation" against Rajeshwar Singh that have a bearing on national security.
Handing over the status report in a sealed cover, ASG Banerjee told the vacation bench: "We want to investigate but (top court) order comes in the way ... sensitive information about national security."
In the course of hearing, the bench also described the contents of the report as "highly sensitive" having a bearing on national security.
Saying, "we can't divulge" the report, the bench said: "The thing that have come (to our knowledge) is startling. Even in imagination we could not have thought of it."
As the senior counsel Rupinder Singh Suri appearing for Rajeshwar Singh and Subramanian Swamy told the bench that they were not aware of what had been handed over to the court, the bench said: "Too much damage have been caused. When appropriate time comes we will put everything on record."
As the bench said a person, who is investigating sensitive 2G spectrum case, should not be brought under cloud, Swamy said: "Nor should any cloud be created to make him move out."
Swamy urged the court to call for a report from the CBI Director and the ED about the allegations against Rajeshwar Singh.
Observing that it could not shut its eyes to all this, the bench said: "Something is very serious. It may be correct or it may not be correct."
"You seem to say that as he has been promoted, these allegations would not have been there," Justice Mishra said as Swamy pointed out that full evaluation of Rajeshwar Singh was done by all the agencies when Rajeshwar Singh was promoted from Deputy Director to Joint Director.
Even as senior counsel Suri and Swamy defended Rajeshwar Singh suggesting that the reports submitted to the court could be motivated, Justice Mishra said: "As a matter of fact, any allegation has to be investigated. At the same time, you must not be victimised."
"You are simply an officer. You can't be given a blank chit. You are accountable for every action of yours. You must be accountable," said the bench as Suri and Swamy drew the attention of the court towards the earlier order of the court protecting Rajeshwar Singh.
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Industry body BCIC welcomes K'taka budget, calls it growth oriented
Bengaluru (PTI): The Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Saturday welcomed the Karnataka Budget 2026-27, recognising its balanced approach towards fostering economic growth, supporting MSMEs, and enhancing infrastructure development.
K Ravi, Senior Vice President, BCIC and Chairman, International Business Committee. appreciated the government's commitment to strengthening the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector through targeted financial incentives, skill development programs, and ease of doing business reforms.
"These measures are expected to boost manufacturing capabilities and create significant employment opportunities across the state," he said, in a statement.
According to him, the budget's focus on infrastructure, including investments in road connectivity, urban development, and industrial parks, tourism and hospitality aligns with BCIC's vision of a robust industrial ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and competitiveness.
BCIC also applauded the emphasis on IT, AI, technology and innovation, which it said will drive Karnataka's position as a leading hub for startups and digital economy initiatives.
While the budget presents ambitious welfare schemes and agricultural support, BCIC said it encourages continued dialogue between industry stakeholders and the government to ensure effective implementation and maximise impact.
BCIC further said that it remains committed to collaborating with the government to facilitate a conducive business environment that promotes investment, innovation, and inclusive growth in Karnataka.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented his record 17th budget with a total outlay of Rs 4,48,004 crore.
Reacting to the state budget, Karmendra Kohli, CEO, SecurEyes said it sends a strong signal on digital responsibility.
He said in a statement that the proposed social media ban for children under 16 is a timely step but its success will hinge entirely on robust digital identity verification and enforcement mechanisms, which are inherently cybersecurity challenges.
Similarly, the establishment of the Bangalore Robotics and AI Innovation Zone and AI Centers of Excellence is exciting, but every AI platform is a potential attack surface, Kohli said.
"As Karnataka accelerates its digital ambitions, cybersecurity cannot be an afterthought; it must be embedded from the ground up. We look forward to the state building on its Cybersecurity Policy 2024 with dedicated budget allocations that match the scale of its tech aspirations," he added.
