CBI judge records statement of 2G accused A Raja

A trial court in Delhi today recorded the statement of former telecom minister Andimuthu Raja, accused of virtually triggering the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini, who has been hearing cases related to the allocation of radio spectrum for more than two years now, started the recording of the statement of the accused by saying that it was a ''direct conversation'' between the accused and the judge.

''Now the statement of accused will be recorded. It is a direct conversation between the accused and the judge...you (accused) may chose to reply or not reply,'' the judge said.

Meanwhile, the special court, which was also scheduled to record the statements of promoters of the Essar Group and Loop Telecom, who are facing trial in a case arising out of the probe into the 2G spectrum scam, deferred their deposition before it to 19 May.

''I think there will be no time for you today. The matter is adjourned for recording of statement of accused to May 19,'' the judge said.

The court had recorded statements of 153 CBI witnesses, including Anil Ambani, his wife Tina, former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and attorney-general G E Vahanvati.

Besides Raja and Kanimozhi, an MP and daughter of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party leader M Karunanidhi, former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura, Raja's former private secretary R K Chandolia, Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, Unitech Ltd managing director Sanjay Chandra, Reliance ADAG executives Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair - are all facing trial in the case.

Directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Kalaignar TV Director Sharad Kumar and Bollywood producer Karim Morani are also accused in the case.

The court on 22 October 2011 framed charges against the accused under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act under clauses related to criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, faking documents, abusing official position, criminal misconduct by public servant and taking bribe.

These offences entail punishment ranging from six months in jail to life imprisonment.