2G case: Court allows Swamy to testify against Chidambaram

Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy was today allowed to testify in support of his private complaint seeking prosecution of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in the 2G case by a Delhi court.

The court said Swamy  "was not prevented in law" from bringing fresh evidence about the roles of "other conspirators" in the scam.

Special CBI Judge OP Saini allowed the plea of Swamy that in view of his knowledge of "fresh evidence" on identity of other conspirators, he be allowed to depose again in the case.

"In view of the facts that complainant was not aware of the identity of additional proposed accused[s] at the time of filing of complaint, but has now come to know about it, he is not prevented in law from leading evidence on this point, more so, when he has referred to the role of other conspirators in his complaint," the court said.

The court partially allowed the application of Swamy, who had not only sought to record his statement but also wanted to examine some government officials, to press his case that the then Finance Minister Chidambaram was equally culpable as he and former Telecom Minister A Raja had a role in deciding 2G spectrum prices and the entry fee.

"Accordingly, complainant Dr Subramanian Swamy is permitted to recall himself as complainant witness one for leading further evidence.

"However, other witnesses as mentioned in the list of witnesses filed with the application, shall be allowed to be summoned only after relevance of their testimony is explained by the complainant [Swamy]," it said, and fixed December 17 as the next date of hearing.