The Supreme Court's decision to take charge of the CBI probe into the 2G spectrum scam comes as a relief to the people, whose faith in the government stands diminished. By saying, on the one hand, that it has nothing to hide and, on the other, ruling out a JPC probe, the UPA government has contributed to a faster decline in public support for it. Let us hope the judiciary will separate the truth from the scam.
Shambhu Soman,
Kollam
The Supreme Court move is perhaps the best course of action given the way the spectrum scam is unfolding. One only hopes the widening of the CBI's scope of investigation — to the grant of licences from 2001-07 — will not result in unreasonable delays, given the number of politicians and industrialists involved in the scandal.
Ashok Jayaram,
Bangalore
Is the largest democracy headed for a rule by the judiciary? It is a matter of shame for the ‘netas' and ‘babus' who have failed the nation miserably.
The judiciary is still held in high esteem by the people who look up to it as the protector of rights and values in public life. The only problem is that justice delivery takes a long time.
A. Victor Frank,
Chennai
Not long ago, the court asked the CBI why it had not questioned the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja, and the Telecom Secretary despite the CAG's indictment. And now the court has taken charge of the 2G probe. Judicial intervention in the executive domain has raised many questions.
Does the judiciary believe the CBI is influenced by the government or that it is slow or biased? The credibility of the investigating agency is at stake. The government has lost its effectiveness. Parliament did not function throughout the winter session. In view of all this, the court's intervention is welcome.
S. Anand,
Bhopal
Can the court taking charge of the spectrum probe substitute for a Joint Parliamentary Committee, which is vested with immense powers to summon anyone? A JPC is a legislative mechanism mandated by the Constitution. The Supreme Court can only interpret the law.
Had the CBI been independent, the Opposition would not have demanded a JPC probe. Only because the agency's authority has been systematically undermined, did the call for a JPC probe gather momentum.
A.V. Narayanan,
Tiruchi
A JPC is a political institution. The court has guaranteed a fair and free CBI investigation into the spectrum scam. Even if a JPC is constituted, its findings cannot override the court verdict.
Two sets of findings by two institutions will diminish the value of democracy. The Opposition should have faith in the highest judicial body.
M. Xavier,
Vallioor
Farcical indeed
The editorial “Farce in court” (Dec. 16) has rightly described as farcical the prosecution's attempt to link Binayak Sen — doctor and rights activist —with Pakistan's Inter-Services intelligence on the basis of an email correspondence between his wife and a friend at the Indian Social Institute. The establishment has become highly intolerant of rights activists and the mainstream media supplement the prejudice.
If the trend continues, we will have to be careful about contacting the Indian Statistical Institute or buying something that bears the ISI trademark.
Dheeraj Pandey,
Ghaziabad
The editorial rightly faults the state machinery for stooping to ridiculous levels to frame those who not only pose no security threat but also render selfless service to the voiceless and marginalised sections. The litigation itch of the state has compounded the woes of the legal system that is already groaning under the burden of pendency of cases. The Centre and the States should immediately review their case diaries and withdraw the thousands of frivolous and indefensible suits and appeals initiated by them.
V.N. Mukundarajan,
Thiruvananthapuram
