CBI court rejects Raja's plea to witness 2G scam trial in SC

Former telecom minister A Raja's plea to witness and assist his counsel during the proceedings in the Supreme Court on the 2G scam case was on Friday dismissed by a Delhi court.

"The application of A Raja is dismissed. The court is adjourned till October 10," Special Central Bureau of Investigation Judge O P Saini said, rejecting the former minister's application.

Raja, in his application, had sought permission to appear and witness the judicial proceedings in the apex court so that he can assist his lawyer Sushil Kumar there.

"I wish the assistance of my client in Supreme Court. There is no security threat. The apex court is the most guarded court in India today," Kumar told the court.

"Raja will not escape from there. The Supreme Court is just a km away from here and he (Raja) can go there in a jail van," Kumar added.

Raja, who has been lodged in Tijar jail for the last eight months, had on September 5 moved a plea before the court saying, "There are many facts that lawyers do not know and I would be in a better position to make my point clear before the apex court."

Meanwhile, the court heard arguments from various accused and the CBI on the invocation of a fresh charge of criminal breach of trust by a public servant under Section 409 of the IPC and adjourned the matter for further hearing on October 10.

The CBI had in September moved the special court for slapping the fresh charge against Raja, his former private secretary R K Chandolia and former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura.

Section 409 of the IPC carries a maximum punishment of imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term which may extend up to 10 years.