Raja seeks forthwith release in 2G case

Former Telecom Minister A Raja today concluded his two-day arguments in a Delhi court on framing of charges in 2G spectrum case and sought his forthwith release, saying the main charge of abuse of official position was not established against him.

"The whole case [against me] goes as CBI fails to prima facie establish that I abused my official position as a public servant while doing spectrum allocation," Raja's lawyer Sushil Kumar told special CBI judge OP Saini.

"The main allegation against me is that I abused my post and awarded licenses to ineligible firms. This is not backed by evidence", the lawyer said, adding "whatever I did I did in the capacity of a minister that too on basis of pieces of advice rendered by my subordinates. There is no allegation that I took any undue benefit."

Moreover, the alleged recipient of bribe (Kalaignar TV) had to pay the interests on that amount, he said and added there was no such allegation against him.

Not only that, the five-judge bench judgement of the Supreme Court held that the trial is vitiated if the sanction to prosecute is not taken in true sense, he said.

The CBI is seeking framing of charges against Raja under the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act dealing with abuse of official position, conspiracy, cheating and forgery.