2G: SC turns down plea for Unitech chief’s bail cancellation

The Supreme Court today turned down the plea  for cancellation of bail to Unitech Ltd managing director Sanjay Chandra, an accused in 2G spectrum case, on grounds of alleged attempts to ''sabotage the trial'', PTI reported.

A bench headed by justice HL Dattu turned down the plea of CBI, which had approached the apex court for cancellation of bail following Chandra being allegedly caught on tape trying to influence A K Singh, the then public prosecutor in the case.

According to the apex court, it was ''not appropriate at this stage'' to recall its order of 24 November, 2011, by which Chandra had been granted bail in the scam.

According to the investigating agency, Chandra had misused the relief extended to him by approaching Singh and trying to ''materially interfere'' with the prosecution in an ''attempt to influence'' the conduct and outcome of the trial.

The CBI said, the conduct of Chandra was questionable during the period of bail as he was found holding discussion with the prosecutor about crucial witnesses.

The agency said that Chandra's conversation with the prosecutor, who was subsequently removed from the case, showed that the whole strategy of the CBI as regards the handling of the case had been compromised.

CBI added, it had registered a preliminary enquiry report, which named Chandra and Singh.

The investigation further suggested that the conversation between the two happened when the statement of crucial witness A K Srivastava,  former deputy director-general, telecom department, was being recorded in the court, it had said.