India’s Supreme Court yesterday postponed a ruling on Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s handling of a telecommunications scandal that has undermined confidence in the administration and paralyzed parliament.
Singh is not on trial but has faced allegations that he dragged his feet in ordering an investigation in the sale of telecom licenses at low prices that has led to the resignation of the telecoms minister, and which, according to an official watchdog audit, possibly lost the state US$39 billion in revenues.
Singh’s representative, Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati, defended the prime minister in court on Tuesday, saying all procedures had been followed in ordering a probe into the scandal.
“The Supreme Court has reserved its order,” Vahanvati told reporters. “The court has asked for additional submissions on some issues it raised.”
He did not say when the court was likely to take any decision.
The prime minister will not personally face any sanctions but any negative conclusions given by the court could put serious pressure on Singh, known as one of India’s most honest politicians, and calls for his resignation may mount.
Last week, the Supreme Court criticized Singh for his apparent delay in probing the widening scandal, potentially one of the biggest ever scandals to hit India.
Telecoms Minister Andimuthu Raja was forced to resign more than a week ago after his ministry was accused of selling licenses and spectrum too cheaply in 2007 and 2008.
The scandal has now engulfed parliament as opposition parties have kept it shut since Nov. 9 over demands for a full parliamentary investigation into the disputes over sale of telecoms licenses and radio airwaves worth billions of dollars.
Both houses of parliament were again adjourned to today after opposition blocked proceedings from taking place.
Meanwhile, Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi strongly defended Singh yesterday, saying he was above reproach in the controversy
“It is shameful that a person of the integrity of the prime minister should be targeted in this manner,” Gandhi told reporters in New Delhi. “Everyone knows the prime minister is 100 percent above board.”
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