SC orders setting up of special court in Coalgate

Preparing the stage for commencement of trial in Coalgate, the Supreme Court ( SC) on Friday ordered setting up of a special court and asked the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court to nominate a Judge who will deal with the cases arising out of the investigation conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate.

The CBI has already filed 19 first information reports.

Significantly, senior lawyer Gopal Subramanium, whose name was controversially left out by the Centre for elevation as SC Judge emerged as the first choice of Chief Justice of India ( CJI) R. M. Lodha to try the high and mighty in the coal blocks scam cases as the special public prosecutor.

" If I failed in something, you ( lawyers appearing in the matter) persuade him. See if he agrees. We want a person of impeccable integrity and fine legal mind," CJI Lodha, who was heading the three- Judge Bench, said when Subramanium's name was suggested among others to be considered for the post.

CJI Lodha was referring to the controversy which led Subramanium withdraw his consent from the apex court collegium for his appointment as SC Judge.

Surprisingly, it was Amarendra Sharan, the lawyer representing the CBI, which prepared the negative report connecting Subramanium with 2G scam and linking him with corporate lobbyist Niira Radia, who seconded Subramanium's name.

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, petitioner in the public interest litigation which sought probe into the scam, had first proposed Subramanium's name.

Solicitor General Ranjit Singh also appeared to be in complete agreement with the idea of Subramanium as the special public prosecutor.

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