New Delhi, Jul 16: A Delhi court today allowed CBI, which is yet to file its third supplementary charge sheet in the 2G scam, to quiz afresh the former Telecom Minister A Raja, former Telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura and Reliance ADAG Group MD Gautam Doshi, in judicial custody.
Special CBI Judge O P Saini allowed the application of the agency that in the interest of the case, it required to interrogate key accused afresh during the on-going probe.
The court also trashed the vehement plea of defence lawyers that they were in dark as to why the agency wanted to interrogate the accused again.
“It is between the court and the prosecution. Accused has no right to be heard in this regard at this stage. The application (of CBI) is allowed,” it said.
During the argument, a defence counsel raised the objection, saying “CBI must clarify as to why and in which regard, they are seeking permission for interrogation.” “We are in dark. Court is saying that argument on charges should begin but new things are coming in light now,” the defence counsel said.
CBI has moved the plea seeking interrogation of Raja and others, who are in judicial custody, in connection with the case on Monday.
“Further investigation is being carried out and three accused persons namely A Raja, Siddharth Behura and Gautam Doshi are required to be examined in judicial custody in interest of the case,” the application said.
The court today rejected the objections of the accused and allowed CBI to place on record some additional documents and statements of witnesses, including some transcripts of conversations between corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and others, relating to 2G spectrum allocation scam.
The court said allowing CBI's plea would not cause “prejudice” to the accused as the progress of the case before it was at an initial stage.
“In view of the law and facts quoted above (in the order), it is clear that the prosecution may file additional documents and list of witnesses, subsequent to the filing of the charge sheets, if they are considered relevant by it, more so when the case is still at an initial stage and no prejudice is being caused to the accused.
“The applications filed by CBI are squarely covered by the law and, as such, deserve to be allowed and the same are accordingly allowed. The documents are ordered to be taken on record,” special CBI judge O P Saini said.
CBI had filed four applications in April and July for filing some additional documents and statements of witnesses. The agency had also sought ther court's permission to take these documents on record.
CBI's move to file the additional documents was opposed by most of the accused in the case who had argued that these documents were collected during investigation itself and they could have been filed with the charge sheets.
CBI prosecutor A K Singh had countered the submissions of the accused saying when the prosecution could conduct further probe, it could also file additional list of witnesses and documents, if it deemed it necessary. PTI
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