Few people doggedly pursued the 2G scam and some of them were MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar, journalists Shalini Singh, J Gopikrishnan and Sunil Jain. Today, after the lower court acquitted D Raja and Kanimozhi owing to prosecution’s failure to prove the case against them, these people took to twitter to express not only their shock over the verdict, but also their views on how Congress was trying their best to spin this verdict.
Member of Parliament Rajeev Chandrashekhkar :
Mr. Chandrashekhar took to twitter first in anticipation of the verdict. He spoke about how he was the first and only MP back in 2007 to challenge the Congress led UPA on 2G scam and had virtually found no support.
10 yrs ago 2007 – I ws 1st MP to chllnge UPA govt ‘s #2Gscam ! i dis ths alone as an Indpndnt MP wth no support. Only few media covrd it. I ws targttd, thretnd n attmpts 2 be discredittd but stayed d course. Bcoz of @Swamy39 SC took it up. @thesuniljainpic.twitter.com/UJxsGBsJKx
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) December 21, 2017
He also tweeted about his old article, saying that the 2G scam must be investigated as a serious white collar crime and all involved must be held accountable.
I wrote this in 2010 aftr #KapilSibal unveiled his famous clumsy “Zero loss” coverup attempt – that #2GScam must be investigated as a serious white collar crime ! @thesuniljain @shaliniscribe pic.twitter.com/f4BLmmBpWV
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) December 21, 2017
Later, once the verdict came, after widespread disappointment on Social Media, Rajeev Chandrashekhar responded again, explaining why there was no need for such disappointment. He also said that today’s judgement was only about criminal conspiracy against 4 people in the government and their money trail. While the Trial Court said the prosecution couldn’t prove these charges, the existence of the scam in itself hasn’t been contradicted since the Trial Court cannot and has not contradicted the judgement passed by the Supreme Court in 2012.
The Scam of UPA govt giving away valuable 2G spectrum at low prices to Dubious companies was ruled ALREADY in Feb2012 by Supreme Court whn it canclld licenses n ruled spectrum can only b gvn thru auctions!
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) December 21, 2017
Case in #CBI court was only abt criminal conspiracy against 4 ppl in govt n their money trail btwn companies n them. the Judge tdy ruled case of criminal conprcy was not proved by prosecution ! Trial court has not n cannot contrdct SC judgmnt of Feb2012
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) December 21, 2017
While Congress was busy patting itself on the back and asserting that this judgement meant no scam happened to begin with, Rajeev Chandrashekhar reminded them to not forget the 2012 SC verdict.
The Congress trying to spin tdys judgement that no #2Gscam happened! ? They just need to re-read the Feb2012 Supreme Court judgemnt n also remind thmslvs of the huge profits tht companies made from the cheap spectrum giveaway.
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) December 21, 2017
Journalist Sunil Jain (Managing editor of Financial Express) :
Sunil Jain was one of the journalists who had pursued the 2G scam since the very beginning. Before the judgement came out, Jain took to twitter indicting Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister and bureaucrats of the time.
And if senior finance ministry bureaucrats didn’t pursue this, it can only be because they were told to or didn’t understand, you can take your pick
— Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) December 21, 2017
The story today will be of the people who got away, and that cuts across politicians, bureaucrats and industrialists
— Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) December 21, 2017
After the verdict was announced, acquitting both Raja and Kanimozhi, Jain expressed his shock and the judgement.
No one gave 2G licenses for free! No one took a bribe!! That’s what the 2G court would have use believe #SHAMEFUL
— Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) December 21, 2017
He then went on to question Kapil Sibal on his statements vindicating the then Congress government, Raja, and the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He said while the Supreme Court understood the gravity of the scam and cancelled licenses, Kapil Sibal would rather believe a judgement passed by a trial court.
Supreme Court realised the gravity of the Raja scam and cancelled the licenses but @KapilSibal will have us believe a trial court knows better. Sad to see reputed TV channels lapping up Sibal’s ‘arguments’
— Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) December 21, 2017
The honourable @KapilSibal must know his then prime minister Manmohan Singh kept tellign Raja to go for an auction. By sticking to his stand, Sibal is make it clear Manmohan Singh is irrelevant for the party. Right Mr Sibal?
— Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) December 21, 2017
Given the clear proof of Raja distorting the law and making changes to help his pals, amazed #2G judge found no corruption. Based on this it sems no proof enough!!!
— Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) December 21, 2017
He also express hope. He said the initial verdict in the Jessica Lal murder case was an acquittal, which was later overturned. He hoped the same would happen with the 2G verdict.
Keep in mind that in the Jessica Lal case, the first court’s verdict was an acquittal #NoOneKilledJessica It will be appealed and I’m sure it will be appealed and hope that a superior court sees the crime for what it is
— Sunil Jain (@thesuniljain) December 21, 2017
Journalist Shalini Singh :
Shalini Singh was one of the first journalists to break the 2G scam. She even blamed the Modi Government of twiddling thumbs all through in 2007 and 2012 after the SC verdict. She said she hoped they would not do the same now, and pursue this case to its logical conclusion.
The #2Gscam is the biggest scam of independent India. Hope #BJP#NDA is not set to commit political harakiri by twiddling its thumbs over the #CBI2Gverdict just like it did all through since 2007 and even in 2012 after the SC verdict. Pathetichttps://t.co/JFyYGG0z6Q
— Shalini Singh (@shaliniscribe) December 21, 2017
Journalist J Gopikrishnan :
Mr. Gopikrishnan also expressed his shock and anguish at the verdict.
Such a BAD Judgment – all 2G accused acquitted!!!!! CBI and ED should appeal
— J Gopikrishnan (@jgopikrishnan70) December 21, 2017
Trial Judge has audacity to write against findings of SC Verdict 2012 cancelling 2G licenses finding all violations& illegalities by Raja & ratified by Presidential Reference.Never seen such a BAD (or NEECH) Judgment. CBI & ED must appeal
Cc : @narendramodi@PMOIndia@Swamy39https://t.co/Amm1Z8D22p— J Gopikrishnan (@jgopikrishnan70) December 21, 2017
There seems to be a consensus among people who pursued this case most doggedly, that the trial court verdict would be overturned if appealed in High Court, questioning how the Trial Court could acquit when the Supreme Court had cancelled the 2G licenses in 2012. They even indicted Kapil Sibal and the Congress party at large for considering this verdict as a declaration of innocence. Now, it for the Modi Government to take a call whether the investigative agencies would appeal this verdict in the HC or not.