Jt director out, but probe on track: CBI

Amidst speculation over the progress of the 2G scam in wake of voluntary retirement by CBI's joint director heading the team probing it, the agency on Tuesday assured the Supreme Court that it would probe the case earnestly.

Amidst speculation over the progress of the 2G scam in wake of voluntary retirement by CBI's joint director heading the team probing it, the agency on Tuesday assured the Supreme Court that it would probe the case earnestly.

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The bench that appeared perturbed after petitioner's counsel Prashant Bhushan apprised the court about the joint director’s voluntary retirement to join ICC, however, told the advocate to submit his contention in an affidavit.

Senior counsel KK Venugopal brushed aside the apprehensions and said the investigation would not get hampered due to the voluntary retirement.

He explained: “Its only the joint-director who has left the agency. However, the officer who is closely associated with the case is the same.”

Bhushan went ahead to claim that ICC was headed by a politician whose association is with the company where the funds by DB realty were diverted in lieu of the license.

HT was the first to report the voluntary retirement sought by CBI's joint director to join ICC.

Venugopal, representing the CBI, submitted a sealed status report before a SC bench and apprised them about the progress in the probe.

After perusing the status report, the bench said the CBI probe was progressing in the right direction. It also assured Bhushan that his apprehensions related to the alleged involvement of Tata group in the 2G-spectrum scam would be taken care of. “The report indicates that it (allegation) is being looked into,” the bench said.

When the counsel raised the issue of funds diverted to tax haven countries, the bench said the agency was working towards it.