The special court hearing the 2G spectrum scam is poised to start arguments on Thursday after it dismissed applications moved by the former Union Telecom Minister, A. Raja, and the former Telecom Secretary, Siddhartha Behura, demanding postponement of this stage until the CBI filed its third charge sheet in the case.
Rejecting the defence plea that completion of investigation was a prerequisite for beginning arguments on charge, Special Judge O.P. Saini observed that the CBI was exercising its statutory right to carry on further investigation especially in a case as complicated as the present one, covering several aspects.
“Neither the accused nor the court can ask the police to conclude further investigation as it is their statutory duty as well as right,” Mr. Saini said. The judge also pointed out that the investigating agency had stated to the court that investigations in the two charge sheets pending trial were completed.
Meanwhile, Mr. Raja's former private secretary R.K. Chandolia alleged that the sanctioning authority displayed undue haste in according sanction to prosecute him in the case. He had moved an application seeking interim bail contending that the CBI had not taken proper sanction before prosecuting him.
