2G case: order on framing charges on Sept 15

NEW DELHI, INDIA: A Delhi court hearing the 2G spectrum allocation case Monday reserved till September 15 its order on framing of charges against former communications minister A. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and 15 other accused.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O.P. Saini announced the decision after special CBI prosecutor U.U. Lalit concluded his final argument, rebutting the plea of innocence by all the 17 accused.

The judge said: "The order on framing of charge is reserved. The matter is now fixed on September 15 for orders (on framing of charges)."

Lalit wrapped up his argument while pleading to the court to frame charges of corruption and other penal offences against all 17 accused and put them to trial.

He told the court that Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless got the licences despite their ineligibility.

He said both the companies off-loaded their shares soon after getting the licences and garnered around Rs..7,300 crore in the process.

"We are conscious that so far as Unitech is concerned, we have found nothing to show any money trail against them. There is no quid pro quo as far as money exchanging hands is concerned in relation to Unitech," Lalit argued.

Seeking discharge in the case, some of the accused told the court that they were "innocent" and the charges levelled against them by the CBI were "silly".

Raja, at present lodged in Tihar Jail here along with the other accused, told the special court that apart from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he would seek the presence of the then finance minister P. Chidambaram and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal in the witness box.