2G case: Former Telecom Minister A Raja opens defence

After a month of protest against commencement of trial, former Telecom Minister A Raja today opened his defence with the cross-examination of key CBI witness Aseervatham Achary, who was his former additional private secretary.

Raja had said that he would not cross examine witnesses until CBI filed its third charge sheet and made a statement that its probe in the case was complete.CBI filed its third charge sheet on December 12 against Essar and Loop and their promoters.

Ending his protest, Raja cross examined Achary asking him about an alleged benami agency of Tata Motors which he got through corporate lobbyist Niira Radia. Achary denied the allegation.

Achary's cross-examination was disrupted for a while after he told the judge about threat to his life from a man sitting in the courtroom.

Following his complaint, the man later identified as Jaiprakash, ran away from the courtroom but was nabbed by Delhi Police personnel posted outside the premises. He was produced before the judge and handed over to police.

During the one-and-half month of trial in the case, six witnesses have already deposed and the cross-examination of Raja's ex-aide Achary is underway.

Achary, a prime witness in the case, had in his deposition accused Raja and others of being involved in the 2G scam and went on to state that Raja's alleged long association with corporate honchos accused in the scam since his stint as environment minister in 2005.