2G: Accused wants sufficient time to answer 1,700 questions

An accused in 2G spectrum allocation case Monday pleaded before a court here to be given "sufficient time" to answer the questions.

Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt. Ltd. director Asif Balwa, in an application moved by his counsel, Vijay Aggarwal, pleaded for the court "to provide sufficient time to the accused persons to properly and effectively answer and explain the circumstances".

Central Bureau of Investigation Special Judge O.P. Saini posted the matter for April 17 for further hearing.

"It is prayed that this court may be pleased to pass necessary orders and directions in the matter, thereby putting simpler and relevant questions to relevant accused persons after taking into consideration the points mentioned in the present application, as in the absence of the same," Balwa said.

His application came after the court March 27 has handed over 1,700 questions running into 824 pages to the accused, including former union minister A. Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi.

The accused has to file the reply to questions, which are part of the recording of the statement of the accused, by April 21.

The court had Nov 27, 2013 concluded the recording of statements of 153 people running into 4,400 pages.

The special court was set up last year on the direction of the Supreme Court.

According to the government auditor, Raja was biased while distributing 2G mobile airwaves and operating licenses to telecom firms, causing a loss of up to Rs.1.76 lakh crore in revenue to the treasury.

All the accused, including Raja, are out on bail.