Terming as unfortunate the Telecom Minister Mr Kapil Sibal's statement that there was no loss due to the 2G spectrum allocation and his criticism of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the matter, the Supreme Court on Friday directed CBI to conduct the probe into the scam without being influenced by anyone's claims.

The apex court also said Mr Sibal should behave with some sense of responsibility after the petitioner, the Janata Party President, Dr Subramanian Swamy, alleged that the Minister's statement could influence the CBI probe. The court said the case was virtually under its supervision.

Mr Sibal had described the loss on account of the 2G scam as mentioned in the CAG report as erroneous and baseless. The CAG had estimated the losses arising from the 2G scam at Rs 1.76 lakh crore.

The apex court also issued notice to 11 telecom companies that obtained spectrum during the then Telecom Minister Mr A. Raja's tenure.

In his petition, Dr Swamy had sought cancellation of 2G licences given to companies that are either ineligible and/or failed to carry out the stipulated roll-out obligations.

On Dr Swamy's demand for restraining the Department of Telecom from taking fines to condone cellular licence agreement violations by firms, the court said it will be considered when Dr Swamy makes a written plea to that effect.

The court also asked the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to file a reply for allegedly not taking action against companies that failed to meet their roll-out obligations. The matter will be heard again on February 1.

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