PM vindicated, says PMO on SC observations

The Supreme Court's observations with regard to grant of sanction for prosecution of then Telecom Minister A Raja in 2G case were today welcomed by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) which said it was vindication of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The PMO said the directions of the apex court are being examined.

"We welcome the fact that both the learned judges [of the Supreme Court] have completely vindicated the Prime Minister whilst appreciating the onerous duties of his office," a statement issued by the PMO said.

The statement came after the Supreme Court observed: "We have no doubt that if the Prime Minister had been apprised of the true, factual and legal position regarding the representation made by the appellant, he would have surely taken appropriate decision and would not have allowed the matter to linger for a period of more than one year."

The court, at the same time, blamed the PMO for sitting on the plea to the Prime Minister for granting sanction to prosecute Raja in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

"The government is examining their [court's] directions regarding the manner in which applications are to be dealt with," the PMO said.