The Supreme Court on Monday expressed displeasure over the tardy progress into the investigation of the defence deals relating to the Kargil conflict, which allegedly cost the exchequer Rs 2,000 crore.
Disapproving the manner in which the Centre and the Central Bureau of Investigation was proceeding with the matter, a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan granted three months to them to file a consolidated report on the matter investigated by them.
Taking into account that though the government had agreed for the CBI inquiry in 2005 and till now the agency had filed only two status report, the bench also comprising Justices D K Jain and H S Bedi said it was unhappy with the procedure adopted by the agency.
"Why not straight away come to preliminary inquiry instead of scrutinising...," the bench observed, adding: "Instead of a comprehensive report, we should have the action taken report."
At the outset, Attorney General Milon K Banerji, appearing for the Centre, said that 20 cases were referred to the CBI and that the Ministry of Defence will also file a report about the action taken.
However, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanian, appearing for the CBI maintained that the agency will prefer to file a comprehensive report, which will also include the 48 cases reported in the Tehelka expose.
He said that Comptroller and Auditor General had given reports about 48 cases of operation Vijay conflict in Kargil in which one case was referred to the CBI.