CBI facing difficulty in finding lawyer for trial in 2G scam

The CBI is facing difficulty in finding a capable lawyer to be appointed as special public prosecutor for holding the trial of 2G spectrum cases in which former telecom minister A Raja and corporate honchos are accused, the Supreme Court was told today.

The situation has arisen as corporates and their officers named in the case have already hired the top lawyers to defend them, the investigating agency said when a bench comprising Justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly wanted to know from it the steps taken for appointing a special public prosecutor.

"Everyone of them (senior advocates) has been hired by the cellular companies or by the state government (Tamil Nadu) so we would have to proceed with the same lawyer who have been handling CBI cases earlier," senior advocate KK Venugopal, appearing for the CBI, said.

He told the bench that many of the senior advocates have expressed reservation on taking up the case of CBI in the trial as they have appeared for the companies in the Supreme Court in the 2G case.

Earlier, the apex court had asked the CBI to appoint the most competent lawyer for the prosecution of accused in the 2G scam.

"Look out for the best man. We want the most competent person to be appointed as the special public prosecutor and he will deal with no other case," the bench had said.