Tale of two scandals

One should have been the subject of a speedy investigation that either indicted him or cleared his name. The other should have been in prison. Yet, A. Raja, who is alleged to have caused the exchequer an opportunity loss of around ₹ 70,000 crore by selling spectrum and mobile telephony licences in 2008 on the basis of a dated formula, remains India’s telecom minister—with a cloud over him. And B. Ramalinga Raju, who confessed to having fudged the books of the company he founded, Satyam Computer, is out on bail. The Supreme Court chose on Monday to take a hand in the first case, and will soon decide if it wants to deal itself another in the second by hearing an appeal against Raju’s bail. Its involvement could affect the future of Messrs Raju and Raja, and bring about a resolution to two economic scandals that have tarnished the country’s reputation.