2G case: Senior lawyer Venugopal removed as ED counsel

SC ordered for permanent absorption of Rajeshwar Singh, a Uttar Pradesh State Police Services officer

In a fresh twist to ED's money laundering probe in the 2G case, the probe agency has been asked by the government to remove senior Supreme Court lawyer K K Venugopal as its Special Counsel in the high profile case for taking a contrary stand.

The finance ministry, in an order issued late last month, asked the agency to "immediately" replace Venugopal for "submitting a note" in 2014, without consulting the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) or the Department of Revenue, on behalf of Rajeshwar Singh who is the main investigating officer in the 2G money laundering probe.

The Supreme Court, last year, had come down heavily on the government and ordered for permanent absorption of Singh, a Uttar Pradesh State Police Services officer Singh, as a Deputy Director in the ED.

The finance ministry had desired that the officer be repatriated to his cadre as his central deputation to the probe agency had come to an end.

Venugopal, awarded the Padma Vibhushan early this year, had then briefed the apex court about various aspects of Singh's case and the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) ordering for his permanent absorption in the ED and subsequently the Delhi high court refusing to stay this order.

Following these developments, the Supreme Court issued stern directions to the government that Singh be absorbed in the ED permanently without any further delay.