Fresh evidence 'found', CBI custody extended by 2 days

The CBI on Tuesday got two days' time from a city court for custodial interrogation of former telecom minister A Raja, after it claimed recovery of fresh "documentary evidence" in the 2G-spectrum scam establishing his "pivotal" role in distribution of telecom licenses.

The CBI on Tuesday got two days' time from a city court for custodial interrogation of former telecom minister A Raja, after it claimed recovery of fresh "documentary evidence" in the 2G-spectrum scam establishing his "pivotal" role in distribution of telecom licenses. The CBI counsel told special CBI judge OP Saini, "We will confront Raja with officials of DoT alongwith their staff." According to CBI sources, the officials in DoT could be suspects and witnesses in the massive 2G-spectrum scam. "Raja's confrontation with his staff could yield valuable results," added the source.

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The source said a chunk of documents related to allocation of licences have been unearthed. "We are scrutinising various documentary evidence and will confront Raja with these."

Citing missing documentary evidence, which surfaced during the probe, the CBI claimed several documents submitted by the telecom companies are currently inaccessible.

The CBI refused further custodial interrogation of Siddhartha Behuria and RK Chandolia.

The court remanded Behuria and Chandolia to judicial custody till February 22.