2G spectrum scam verdict: Subramanian Swamy alleges internal sabotage, calls on govt to file immediate appeal

Reacting to the acquittal of all accused in the 2G spectrum scam by the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy alleged internal sabotage and called on the government to immediately file an appeal.

“Today’s judgment is a very bad judgment, this must be appealed in higher court”, Swamy, the original petitioner in the case, told reporters outside the court.

The special CBI court earlier  acquitted 19 accused , including former telecom minister A Raja and DMK leader Kanimozhi in the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering case relating to the 2G scam.

The Rajya Sabha MP also lashed out at former attorney general Mukul Rohatgi, and alleged ‘internal sabotage’.

“Rohatgi has welcomed this verdict, I had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi opposing his appointment as attorney general. Rohatgi had appeared for some of accused companies”, Swamy said.

He also said Rohatgi’s appointment sent out the wrong message and the people will hold the party accountable in 2019 for not taking a firm enough stance against corruption.

“All the people of the industry who were accused have suffered enough, licences cancelled, they were also unable to travel abroad,”Rohatgi was quoted as saying by news agency ANI after the verdict.

Swamy also condemned the handling of the case by the prosecution.

“Judge says earlier there was a lot of enthusiasm, but later it became worse and worse. Judge also said counsels were lackadaisical. This is a big condemnation of the government’s control of the case”, Swamy said.

He also said that acquittal of the accused is an aberration, and not a setback. “It has been derailed, but it can be put back on track again provided we have honest law officers and lawyers who don’t do chamchagiri of ministers”, he added.

The former commerce minister also alleged that the CBI, under the Manmohan Singh government, took over prosecution from him out of fear.

“The first private complaint in the 2G case was filed by me. But the CBI under the UPA felt that letting me handle the prosecution was dangerous, so they also filed an FIR. Now, there is a clause which states that if there is a private complaint and a central agency also complains the two cases will be merged. They took over the case out of fear”, he said.

Swamy also asked Modi to take a “lesson” from the verdict and said the government must now fight corruption on a war footing.

Click here to follow live updates on the 2G spectrum scam judgment .