Prime accused in the 2G spectrum scam and the country's former Union Telecom Minister, A. Raja, will begin arguing against the charges levelled by the CBI before Special Judge O.P. Saini from Monday.
After presenting the charges against Mr. Raja and 16 other accused, which include three telecom companies, Special Public Prosecutor U.U. Lalit on Saturday completed his arguments.
“Arguments on charge for prosecution heard and concluded. Put up for arguments on charge for the accused persons on July 25, 2011,” Mr. Saini said.
Mr. Lalit concluded his arguments by pointing out how Mr. Raja cheated the government exchequer of Rs. 30,000 crore by not revising the entry fee for pan-India licences fixed at Rs.1,650 crore in 2001, when the mobile telecom industry was in its infancy.
In this respect, CBI counsel cited a note written by the former IRS officer, Manju Madhavan, calling for a revision of entry fee, which was not heeded by Mr. Raja.