Finally, Raja applies for bail, seeks parity

Having spent 15 months in jail in connection with the 2G spectrum scam case, former telecom minister A Raja on Wednesday moved his first bail application before a court, seeking parity with all other accused who are already out of jail.

Having spent 15 months in jail in connection with the 2G spectrum scam case, former telecom minister A Raja on Wednesday moved his first bail application before a court, seeking parity with all other accused who are already out of jail.

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DMK MP Raja, who has been in the Tihar jail since his arrest on February 2, 2011, filed his bail plea before special CBI judge OP Saini within hours of the Supreme Court granting bail to co-accused former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura.

An SC bench headed by justice GS Singhvi also set aside a Delhi high court order, staying the bail granted to Raja's ex-private secretary RK Chandolia by the trial court.

Behura and Chandolia were the two public servants arrested by the CBI along with Raja.

The CBI filed three chargesheets last year against 19 persons, including six companies. Raja, Behura and Chandolia have been charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and corruption for causing a loss of more than Rs 30,000 crore to the exchequer.

Special Judge OP Saini issued notice to the CBI and fixed May 11 for hearing Raja’s bail plea.