CBI registers disproportionate assets case against Raja, 16 others

The CBI on Wednesday said it had registered a disproportionate assets case against former telecom minister and DMK leader A. Raja and 16 others.

In a statement, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said others booked in the case included Raja's wife, his relative, a close associate and a director of a private company based in Perambalur near Trichy.

The CBI also registered a case against a private company based here, a former director of the company and other close relatives and associates of Raja under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The case pertains to holding assets disproportionate to known sources of income and abetment to the said offence.

The CBI said its teams conducted searches at 20 places, including six places in Chennai, one in New Delhi, two in Coimbatore, and eight in Perambalur and three in Trichy, Tamil Nadu.

The searches led to the seizure of several incriminating documents like financial statements, income tax returns, immovable property documents, bills, vouchers and invoices.

Certain bank accounts and fixed deposits in the names of the accused have also been identified, the investigating agency said.

During 1999-2010, while serving as a member of parliament and union minister, Raja allegedly amassed assets and pecuniary resources to the tune of approximately Rs.27.92 crore in his name and in the names of family members, friends and close associates.

According to CBI, several of Raja's close relatives and associates allegedly witnessed exponential financial growth under suspicious circumstances and acquired assets worth several crores of rupees without sufficient wherewithal during this period.

Several immovable properties were acquired in the names of the former union minister's friends and family members and other private firms which were/are managed by close relatives and associates of Raja, the CBI said.

The CBI said a case was registered against Prameswari, wife of Raja, Paramesh Kumar, relative of Raja, C. Krishnamurthy, a close associate of Raja and director in Kovai Shelters Promoters, Green House Promoters Pvt Ltd., Reha Banu, wife of Sadiq Basha and other close relatives and associates of Raja.

On April 15, the CBI commenced final arguments in the case, alleging that Raja misled the then prime minister Manmohan Singh on policy matters related to 2G spectrum allocation.

According to the CBI, Raja was biased in allocating 2G mobile airwaves and operating licences to telecom firms, causing a huge loss to the state exchequer.

The court framed charges on October 22, 2011, against 14 accused and three companies under the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

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