Court rejects Raja's plea to witness 2G trial in SC

Jailed former telecom minister A Raja's plea to witness and assist his counsel during the proceedings in the Supreme Court on the 2G scam case was today dismissed by a Delhi court.

"The application of A Raja is dismissed. The court is adjourned till October 10," Special CBI judge O P Saini said, rejecting the former minister's application.

Raja, in his application, had sought permission to appear and witness the judicial proceedings in the apex court so that he can assist his lawyer Sushil Kumar there.

"I wish the assistance of my client in Supreme Court. There is no security threat. Apex court is the highest guarded court in India today," Kumar told the court.

"Raja will not escape from there. Supreme Court is just a kilometre away from here and he (Raja) can go there in jail van," Kumar added.

Raja, lodged in Tijar jail for the last eight months, had on September 5 moved a plea before the court saying "there are many facts that lawyers do not know and I would be in a better position to make my point clear before the apex court."

Meanwhile, the court heard arguments from various accused and the CBI on the invocation of fresh charge of criminal breach of trust by a public servant under section 409 IPC and fixed the matter for further hearing on October 10.

The CBI had last month moved the special court for slapping the fresh charge of breach of trust by public servants under section 409 IPC against former Raja, his former private secretary R K Chandolia and former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura.

Section 409 IPC carries a maximum punishment of imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term which may extend upto 10 years.