Balwa targets CBI for selective approach in arrest

Jailed Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, an accused in the 2G spectrum case, today accused CBI of adopting a "selective approach" in arresting people in the scam.

Balwa also asserted in a Delhi court that he was not finding fault with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who supported the "right policy". He has been lodged in Tihar Jail since February 8.

"The Prime Minister had simply supported a policy that was entirely consonant with Trai recommendations and the 10th five year plan, which talked of increasing tele-density, non-revision of prices and not to auction spectrum," he said.

"We are not saying PM supported wrongdoers. He just supported the right policy," Balwa added.

Targeting CBI, Balwa said, "You (CBI) have just picked up one man of your choice from one point and the other from another point. CBI is blowing up the case so that the court would be hesitant to consider liberty of a person even after months. It is guilty of misleading the court.

Balwa's arguments were put forth by his counsel Majeed Memon before Special CBI Judge O P Saini while opposing corruption and other penal charges against him in the 2G spectrum allocation case.

Balwa also accused CBI of withholding from the court some crucial documents pertaining to a personal discussion between the then Minister of External Affairs and the then Solicitor General on the allocation policy.

"There was a personal discussion between the then Minister of External Affairs (Pranab Mukherjee) and the Solicitor General (G E Vahanvati) on the allocation policy. CBI should place all the documents before this court."

Seeking his discharge in the case from the court, Balwa demanded that CBI "must answer" as to what is the actual loss suffered by the state exchequer due to 2G spectrum scam.

"The CBI must answer as to what is the actual loss to the state exchequer. It (loss) is the basis of the prosecution and it has to be supported with documentation,"  he said.