CBI registers disproportionate assets case against Raja, 16 others; conducts raids

The CBI on Wednesday registered a disproportionate assets case against former telecom minister A. Raja and 16 others and conducted raids at 20 places in Delhi and Tamil Nadu.

"It is alleged that he (Raja) and other accused persons have amassed assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. Searches are being carried out at 20 places in Delhi, Chennai, Perambalur, Tiruchirappalli and Coimbatore," a CBI official said in New Delhi.

"The cases have been registered against Raja, his brother and his wife and the wife of Sadiq Batcha, (a former Raja aide and accused in the 2G spectrum allocation case and who was found dead in his house under mysterious circumstances in March 2011), among others, a CBI official said in Chenna

On April 15, the CBI commenced the final argument in the case alleging that Raja misled 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 various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

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