New Delhi: Law Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday
came to the defence of P Chidambaram describing him as an
"extremely enlightened" minister and rubbishing opposition
demands for the resignation of the Home Minister in the wake
of the Finance Ministry note on the 2G issue.
"There is nothing to investigate in the note," Khurshid
said hours after the CBI stoutly objected in the apex court to
the Centre's stand that the agency will look into the Finance
Ministry note, saying the government cannot dictate what the
probe agency should do as it is an autonomous body.
Downplaying the controversy over the conflicting stances,
he said, "I was not there. I can't comment on what may have
been said and what may not have transpired. Sometimes, when
you are on your feet in court, things happen, sometimes things
are said or done, which may not be exactly within the brief."
Khurshid, who had a meeting with Congress President Sonia
Gandhi, said, "I do believe that we need Chidambaram with full
spirit full strength to move ahead with the things that we
have to do."
Seeking to dismiss Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy's
demand for a CBI probe against Chidambaram, he said, "You can ask for probe against anybody. But you have to go to the right court and ask for that probe."
"You can't ask Supreme Court to help you get a probe
particularly in matters where charge sheet has been filed.
This is the law," he said describing Chidambaram as "an
extremely effective and an extremely enlightened minister."
Khurshid said, "If issues arising in court are trying to
put a question mark on his (Chidambaram's) standing or his
stature, I feel very sorry for it."
When asked as to why the Centre's lawyer told the Supreme
Court that the CBI is going to investigate the matter, he
said, "This is not my information. ....Our position is clearly
at a stage that these documents should be investigated
considered, examined.
"But as far as the trial court is concerned, the trial
court can do anything. The trial court can look at anything,"
he added.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, September 28, 2011, 00:03