2G case: CBI opposes bail plea of Raja's ex-secretary

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday opposed the bail plea of former Telecom Minister A Raja's erstwhile private secretary R K Chandolia, saying that he is a public servant and cannot be treated on par with those granted bail in the 2G case.

After hearing arguments on Chandolia's bail plea by various parties, including those of the CBI and his counsel Vijay Agarwal, Special CBI Judge O P Saini reserved his order on the plea.

"Put up for order at 4 pm tomorrow," the jugde said.

Special Public prosecutor U U Lalit opposed Chandolia's plea saying no parallel could be drawn between those who have been granted bail and Raja's former private secretary as he was a public servant and was in the "core sector" of the conspiracy.

Lalit also rebutted Chandolia's argument that DMK MP Kanimozhi was also a public servant but has been granted bail, saying, "The actions committed by these three persons (Chandolia, Raja and former Telecom Secretary Siddharath Behura) were in capacity of public servant."

Defence counsel Agarwal sought bail on the ground of parity, saying "The Supreme Court has not dissected the case and has granted bail not to individual accused but in the 2G case."

Agarwal said his client has spent around ten months in jail while those who have spent 6 months behind bars in the case have been granted bail.

He further said, "The alleged beneficiaries are getting bail where as I am still inside the jail. How strange this is?"