Clean chit to PC: Govt vindicated, Oppn says he is culpable

Chidambaram himself refused to comment on the judgement. "I have never commented on any of the proceedings pending in one court or another. And I do not intend to break that tradition," he said.

But several Union ministers, while welcoming the ruling, said the government had always maintained that Chidambaram was innocent and the case against him was politically-motivated.

Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy, who had filed the petitioner against Chidambaram, said he will seek a review of the Supreme Court judgement.

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said "I have told you before that Chidambaram was innocent. Because we knew what was the reality and today it was proved that Chidambaram was innocent and he had no hand in it...It is all politically motivated."

Expressing satisfaction at the ruling, Law Minister Salman Khurshid said he had "great conviction from the beginning and the court has also accepted our arguments in the case."

He people have a right to move a court "but when it gives a decision, it should be respected by all."

Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said the view of the government stood vindicated and dubbed as "unjust" the stand of the opposition against Chidambaram.

UPA allies like NCP, Samajwadi Party and BSP also welcomed the apex court's ruling.

Congress spokesman Rashid Alvi demanded an apology from BJP for accusing Chidambaram of wrongdoing.

BJP, however, said Chidambaram cannot escape "moral culpability" and remains "constitutionally and politically accountable" as the nation suffered a loss in spectrum pricing in 2008. (MORE)