Chidambaram bound to come as witness in 2G case: Raja

Former telecom minister A Raja today sought to make then finance minister P Chidambaram a witness in 2G case, saying he was privy to matters relating to dilution of equities by Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless to foreign firms.

Former telecom minister A Raja on Tuesday sought to make then finance minister P Chidambaram a witness in 2G case, saying he was privy to matters relating to dilution of equities by Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless to foreign firms.

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"The then finance minister (Chidambaram) is bound to come in the court as a witness," Raja's counsel Sushil Kumar said while advancing arguments on framing of charges before Special CBI Judge OP Saini trying the 2G case.

Raja said Chidambaram and even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were aware of offloading of shares to foreign firms --Dubai-based Etisalat and Norway-based Telenor -- by Swan Telecom and Unitech, alleged beneficiaries of the scam.

"The matters relating to dilution of equities to foreign firms by Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless were known to the Prime Minister and then finance minister Chidambaram," Raja said.

His counsel said Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) approves all foreign investment.

"FIPB approves every foreign investment. It has to go to the cabinet. Ultimately, it is the decision of the cabinet. What crime have I committed?," Kumar said, adding "why these businessmen are here? They have followed the law."