2G case: Centre moves SC for disassociating ED officer

The Centre has sought the Supreme Court's permission to disassociate Enforcement Directorate officer Rajeshwar Singh from the investigation and trial of 2G case to enable the department take appropriate action for his repatriation to his parent cadre of Uttar Pradesh Police.
Singh, who has been the investigating officer in the scam since March 9, 2010 and has been currently on deputation to the ED as Deputy Director and looking after the offences allegedly covered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Singh had jointed ED on deputation on December 5, 2007.
The Ministry of Finance under which the ED works has submitted that since the investigation into the 2G case is being monitored by the apex court which had passed the specific order that no members of the probe team from the CBI or ED be changed or transfered without its permission, it is filing the application in this regard.

The repatriation of Singh to his parent cadre has become essential as according to existing rules and DoPT's instructions, a person cannot be kept on deputation for an indefinite period and keeping the officer on deputation beyond five years violates the departmental guidelines.
During the course of investigation, Singh had filed a petition seeking contempt action against Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy for allegedly interfering with the investigation into the 2G scam.