2G: accused blame CBI for delaying trial

NEW DELHI: The high-profile accused in 2G spectrum scam on Thursday charged CBI in a court here with delaying the proceedings for framing of charges for frustrating their chance of securing bail.

The 14 accused persons, including former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and top corporate honchos, alleged CBI was filing additional documents to delay the proceedings required for starting the arguments on framing of charges for which the special court has already asked the parties to complete the scrutiny of documents expeditiously.

The advocates for accused raised objections to CBI's move and during one and half hours before lunch, the proceedings in the 2G case witnessed for the first time trading of charges between the accused and prosecutors.

The agency, the accused said, has not only "concealed the douments" and "willfully abstained" from filing them with their charge sheets but "they (CBI) are not prepared to go for the trial because they have not completed their investigation".

"Even in the Supreme Court, they have said that they are going to file another charge sheet. How do I know if it has anything against these 17 accused?" advocate Vijay Agarwal, appearing for Swan Telecom Promoter Shahid Usman Blawa, submitted before Special CBI judge O P Saini.

Accusing the agency of concealing documents, the counsel said "if any of the collected additional document was with CBI before the filing of the charge sheet and now if it turns out in our favour, it would go on to show that the charge sheet was filed to defeat our statutory right to bail."

While denying bail to Kanimozhi, the apex court had said she could approach the trial court after framing of charges in the case.