Delhi HC issues notice to A Raja and other accused in 2G scam case as CBI moves plea for early hearing

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday moved an application in the Delhi High Court for early hearing in the 2G appeal case. Taking notice of the application, the High Court has issued notices to A Raja and other accused in the case, while fixing the matter for hearing on July 30.

Moving the application in the court, the CBI stated that the 2G case has massive ramifications and is of immense national importance. 

Both the CBI and ED (Enforcement Directorate) have approached the Delhi HC against the acquittal of all accused by the trial court.

A. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and other accused in the case were acquitted by a special court in December 2017 for lack of evidence. It had acquitted 17 others, including DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, Vinod Goenka, Asif Balwa, film producer Karim Morani, P Amirtham and Sharad Kumar, Director of Kalaignar TV in the ED case. The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have since moved the Delhi High Court challenging their acquittal. Raja was Telecom Minister in the UPA government, in which the DMK was also a part. 

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Earlier in February 2019, the Delhi High Court ordered two persons and three companies to plant 3,000 trees each for seeking more time to file their responses on the Enforcement Directorate's appeal challenging their acquittal in a 2G scam case.

The two individuals and three companies along with others including former Telecom minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi were acquitted by the trial court in the ED's money laundering case.

The CBI had alleged that there was a loss of Rs 30,984 crore to the exchequer in allocation of licences for the 2G spectrum which were scrapped by the top court on February 2, 2012.

In the CBI case, Raja, Kanimozhi and 15 others were tried under provisions of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act dealing with offences of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, using as genuine fake documents, abusing official position, criminal misconduct by public servant and taking bribe.

READ | Delhi HC Orders 2G Accused To Plant 3,000 Trees For Failure To File Replies In ED Appeal

(With agency inputs)