A Raja gets bail in 2G case

NEW DELHI: Ending his over 15-month ordeal in the 2G case, former Communications and Information Technology Minister A Raja was granted bail by the CBI court in New Delhi on Tuesday. Raja is the last of the accused to get bail in the case, despite strong opposition by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).


The court granted bail to Raja on his furnishing personal and surety bonds of Rs 20 lakh each. The former Union Minister was also directed not to visit Tamil Nadu without the court’s prior permission.


Raja has sought bail on the ground of parity with other 13 co-accused who have already secured it from the Supreme Court, Delhi High Court and the trial court.


Raja (47), as well as Siddhartha Behura, former Secretary in the Department of Telecommunications, and R.K. Chandolia, who was Private Secretary to the Minister, were arrested on February 2, 2011 by the CBI.



In his bail plea, Raja had said that case against him is “false and fabricated” and “not sustainable in law.”


The CBI had vehemently opposed Raja’s bail saying he cannot be released on the ground of parity as the charges levelled against him are of serious nature.


During the probe, it has come to light that Raja and others received bribe of another Rs 200 crore in connection with the spectrum scam, it said.


The CBI prosecutor had raised questions on Raja’s alleged links with Mauritius-based Delphi Investment Ltd, in which Reliance Telecom Ltd had allegedly transferred its shares and said if released on bail at this stage, he might tamper with the evidence.


“It is suspected that there may be involvement of public servants, including accused A Raja and his family members etc, in the affairs of the said companies (Delphi),” the prosecutor had said.


Raja has sought bail saying the Supreme Court, while granting bail to former Telecom Secretary Sidharth Behura, had not distinguished the case of public servant with others.


Raja’s counsel had also said that he and Behura are facing similar charges of abatement, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.