2G spectrum scam: Arguments on framing of charges to begin on Thursday

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Wednesday dismissed the pleas of former Telecom Minister A Raja and former Telecom Secretary Siddhartha Behura for postponing the scheduled start of arguments on framing of charges against them in 2G spectrum allocation scam from tomorrow.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini dismissed the duo's plea saying the court will start hearing arguments on framing of charges against them from tomorrow as decided earlier.

Raja and Behura had opposed the scheduled commencement of arguments by the court, saying it should be fixed for a later date after filing of the third charge sheet in the case.

They had sought the postponement on the ground that completion of the probe is a pre-requisite for beginning of arguments on framing of charges.

"When CBI is exercising its statutory right to carry out further investigation, the accused cannot claim to stop the trial on the plea that police investigation is pending as it may cover several aspects, more so, in a complicated investigation as in the instant case and in some cases, it may continue for a long time," the court said.

"Neither the accused nor the court can ask the police to conclude further investigation as it is their statutory duty as well right," said Saini dismissing their pleas.

"Moreover, a statement has been made in the instant case and the investigation into the allegations contained in the charge sheet pending trial in the court is complete," the judge said.