2G scam: SC issues notice to CBI of Reliance Telecom plea

The Supreme Court today sought a response from CBI on petitions filed by Reliance Telecom and the other accused in 2G spectrum allocation scam seeking recall of its order by which other courts were barred from hearing in the case.

A bench of justices G S Singhvi and V Gopala Gowda said the issue raised by the accused needs to be heard before taking up other pleas challenging summoning of 13 witnesses including Reliance ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani and his wife Tina Ambani.

It also sought a response from Janata Party President Subramanian Sawmy and NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation on whose plea the apex court is monitoring the CBI probe in the muti-crore rupee scam.

The court asked all the parties to file their affidavits within four days.

The bench said it is conscious of the date given by the trial court to witnesses to appear in the court and posted the case for hearing to August 7.

Business tycoon Anil Ambani is to appear before the Special CBI court on August 22 and his wife has been summoned to appear a day after.

The RTL sought recall of the apex court's April 11, 2011 order which said 'any prayer for staying or impeding progress of the trial can be made only before this court and no other courts shall entertain the same'.

The company said in its plea that it amounts to violation of its fundamental rights as the order takes away the right to approach the High Court against the order of the trial court.

It said the order is contrary to law and constitutional provision.