2G case: Raja opposes CBI's plea to invoke fresh charges

Former Telecom Minister A Raja today opposed in a Delhi court the fresh plea of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking framing of a charge for criminal breach of trust in the 2G spectrum allocation case against 17 accused, saying it was an attempt to keep him in jail.

"Only purpose [for the CBI move] is to hold them [accused] in custody till the time they [CBI] can. Otherwise the case is busted and there is nothing in the application," senior advocate Sushil Kumar, appearing for the DMK leader, told Special CBI Judge OP Saini.

Terming CBI's application as "malafide", Kumar said Raja did not commit any offence and it was filed at a "belated" stage as the provision provides for life imprisonment.

Initially, the accused have been charged under provisions, which entail 7 years jail as maximum sentence, he said, adding that CBI has moved the plea as it wanted to keep them in jail.

Kumar said the roles of Raja and then Finance Minister P Chidambaram were identical in the case.

"I am not saying P Chidambaram is guilty. Both of us are innocent. Whole country is saying he [Chidambaram] is innocent then how I can I be held guilty.

"The documents are self explanatory. All the decisions were taken in public interest and something has gone wrong somewhere and then they [CBI] needed a scapegoat and made him [Raja] an accused," Kumar said.

Kumar cited a SC verdict in a case involving Captain Satish Sharma in which the proceedings under section 409 of the IPC were quashed.

The CBI has sought framing of additional charges against Raja, his former private secretary RK Chandolia and former Telecom Secretary Siddharth Behura. If convicted, they can face a maximum punishment of life term or imprisonment up to 10 years.