Raja objects to second chargesheet

Former telecom minister A Raja objected to the filing of a second chargesheet in a Delhi court by CBI in 2G spectrum case in which Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi's daughter and DMK MP Kanimozhi has been named as co-accused.

Former telecom minister A Raja objected to the filing of a second chargesheet in a Delhi court by CBI in 2G spectrum case in which Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi's daughter and DMK MP Kanimozhi has been named as co-accused.

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Raja said the court cannot take cognizance of the supplementary chargesheet in which fresh names of persons have been mentioned as accused for the same offence.

Senior advocate Ramesh Gupta, appearing for Raja, said Special Judge O P Saini cannot take cognizance of the supplementary chargesheet against additional accused who were not named in the first probe report.

"Without giving us the notice and without hearing us, the second chargesheet cannot be accepted. Once the court has taken cognizance of the offence, no further chargesheet could be filed at this stage against additional accused," Gupta said. The court, however, took cognizance of the chargesheet naming Kanimozhi and four others as accused, saying, "there is enough incriminating material on record to proceed against the accused persons."

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Opposing the filing of the second chargesheet, Gupta said the copy of the chargesheet should be first supplied to them (defence counsel) and the court should pass an order only after hearing them.

Countering Raja, CBI prosecutor A K Singh said the probe agency is entitled to file the second chargesheet after carrying out further investigation into the case.

Singh said Gupta's arguments are "out of context".

Accepting the investigative agency's submissions the court said "it is quite clear that the instant supplementary chargesheet is being filed by CBI as per law and at this stage, accused has no right to be heard."