2G: SC allows govt plea on withdrawal of review petition

A Supreme Court bench hearing 2G-spectrum scam cases on Thursday took strong exception to the language used in the Centre's letter seeking withdrawal of its petition for review of February 2, 2012 verdict cancelling 122 2G spectrum licenses granted to various companies during A Raja's tenure as telecom minister.

A Supreme Court bench hearing 2G-spectrum scam cases on Thursday took strong exception to the language used in the Centre's letter seeking withdrawal of its petition for review of February 2, 2012 verdict cancelling 122 2G spectrum licenses granted to various companies during A Raja's tenure as telecom minister.

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However, a bench of justice GS Singhvi and justice KS Radhakrishnan allowed the government's plea for withdrawal of the review petition on the "oral request" made by Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising.

The Centre's letter circulated to various parties said: "In view of the fact that only limited notice has been issued, the petitioners do not want to press the review petition and will be praying for withdrawal of the review petition."

It also mentioned that it was being circulated to avoid disruption of benches, as the Chief Justice of India would have convened the special bench for the hearing.

The bench, which had on April 13 admitted the Centre's plea for hearing, expressed displeasure over the letter.

"You should have filed a proper application. Please tell us when was the occasion to request for constituting an appropriate bench," the court asked while referring to the content of the letter in which a request was made for constituting an appropriate bench.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, representing Centre for Public Interest Litigation and Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy opposed the Centre's move terming it "forum shopping".