2G scam: High court notice to CBI on Raja's plea

The Delhi high court on Monday sought CBI’s stand on former telecommunication minister A Raja's plea challenging the trial court order on framing of charges against him in the 2G spectrum case.

The Delhi high court on Monday sought CBI’s stand on former telecommunication minister A Raja's plea challenging the trial court order on framing of charges against him in the 2G spectrum case.

Justice AK Pathak issued notice to the CBI and sought its reply by September 6, the date slated for hearing of similar pleas of other accused.

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Raja was arrested in February 2011 and has spent 15 months in prison before getting bail in May. He contended in his petition that the CBI investigations were biased and the special CBI judge, hearing the case, had erred in holding that there was illegality in the manner spectrum was allocated.

Raja, a DMK MP, also alleged that the charge sheet filed in the case shows a bias in the investigations as it remained silent on the licenses issued during 2003-2007.

“During the period 2003-2007, a total of 51 licences were issued by the DoT (Department of Telecommunication). These were issued on the same terms and conditions as those issued by the DoT under the petitioner in the year 2008.

Yet, the charge sheet has chosen to remain silent on this aspect, which shows the bias in its investigation. The special judge has also ignored this aspect altogether, which is a grave error,” Raja said.