Hearing of Coal Gate marred by drama: “I know he has something highly personal against me” Attorney General Goolam Vahanvati on Prashant Bhushan

The hearing in the Coal scam in Supreme Court turned out to be eventful yet again as Advocate Prashant Bhushan and Attorney General (AG) Goolam Vahanvati had a go at each other. However, the spat was very brief in the one and half hour hearing today which also witnessed a lengthy discussion on the appointment of amicus curiae for assisting the Court in the matter..When the hearing began at 2 pm in Court room 3, Senior Counsel TR Andhyarujina was seen seated in the court. He had apparently made himself available at the request of the Court for considering his appointment as amicus curiae in the matter. The Court had to wait for a few minutes as the counsel for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Amarendra Sharan was “on his legs” in another court. When Sharan arrived, the proposal to appoint Andhyarujina was put forth by the Court..But Sharan opposed the same vehemently arguing that it would compromise the independence of the investigation by the CBI. Sharan said that involving an amicus would entail the possibility of reports and details of the investigation being leaked before the charge sheet was filed and it would also set a bad precedent for the other courts in the country which would follow suit. Justice RM Lodha and Justice Madan B Lokur were, however, not convinced as to how it would prejudice the CBI or the investigation but did not deliver any conclusive order on the same..As the hearing progressed, Advocate Prashant Bhushan, expressing displeasure at the manner in which the case was being prolonged, remarked that.“this is not a matter which should be adjourned for months at the convenience of the Attorney General.”.Irked by this remark, Vahanvati retorted that.“I have asked for that (adjournment) only once. He was not even there then. I know he has something highly personal against me.” .Subsequently, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi also entered appearance representing the States of West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. He vociferously argued that his clients had only obeyed the instructions of the Centre in the allotment of coal blocks and that their role was confined to “meticulously following all directions of the Centre” as was the mandate under the relevant statutes..Meanwhile, Andhyarujina who had been a silent spectator to the afternoon drama, was silently trudging out of the Court when Justice Lodha noticed him leaving. Justice Lodha then proceeded to thank Andhyarujina for taking out time to come to the Court though no conclusion could be reached on the issue pertaining to the appointment of amicus. Andhyarujina graciously replied that it was his duty as an officer of the Court to make himself available before leaving the court room..The Court then proceeded to issue notice to the Enforcement Directorate in the application by NGO Common Cause seeking attachment of assets in cases in which CBI has registered FIR. The State governments will begin their arguments on December 5 which is the next date of hearing..It has also been learnt that Senior Advocate Ashok Desai would be representing the State of Orissa..Image of Andhyarujina taken from here