2G spectrum scam: Special CBI court begins hearings on chargesheet today

The build-up in one of the most anticipated corruption cases of our times continues. On April 2, the CBI filed a chargesheet against nine individuals—four were already in jail—and three companies in the 2G mobile licence and spectrum allotment case. Today, at 10 am in a special CBI court, Justice OP Saini will begin proceedings on the chargesheet things Legal experts may happen say two today.

One, the chargesheet is given to the accused and a date for the trial set. Two, the five executives who have not been arrested and who have been summoned today may apply for bail. Legal experts say their application could go one of three ways.

BAIL FOR ALL

An eminent lawyer, citing a Delhi High Court judgement, says bail cannot be denied to a person the CBI has not arrested in the case.

JAIL FOR ALL

Another lawyer who has represented the government says the accused may not get bail. The lawyer points to a 1992 Supreme Court judgement that says there cannot be a different yardstick for accused being tried under identical charges in a case Of the six executives accused, only Shahid Balwa has been arrested. Balwa’s defence has made that argument in his bail hearings, but without success.

NO BAIL HEARING

The court defers bail hearing.

ARRESTED

A RAJA, Former Telecom Minister
SIDDHARTHA BEHURA Former secretary (Telecom)
RK CHANDOLIA Former personal secretary to Raja
SHAHID BALWA, Former MD, Swan Tele

OTHERS

VINOD GOENKA, Director, Swan Telecom
SANJAY CHANDRA, Managing Director, Unitech
GAUTAM DOSHI, Group MD, Reliance ADA Group
SURENDRA PIPARA, Group President, Reliance ADA Group
HARI NAIR, Senior VP, Reliance ADA Group