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Charges to be framed against Sukh Ram tomorrow

Special Judge Ajit Bharihoke today announced that charges will be framed against former communication minister Sukh Ram, former Department of Telecom official Renu Ghosh and Hyderabad-based Advance Radio Mast Ltd managing director Paturu Rama Rao in the Rs 16.8 million telecom irregularity case.

Formal charges will, however, be framed tomorrow as Ghosh was out of Delhi. The charges are to be framed under Section 120-b, Indian Penal Code and 13 (2), 13 (1) and (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The former communication minister had earlier filed an application that the proceedings against him be quashed in view of the recent Supreme Court decision holding members of Parliament and members of legislative assemblies as public servants in the JMM MPs bribery case.

His application, moved through counsel Gopal Subramaniam, submitted that the Central Bureau of Investigation had not taken prior permission from the Speaker of the Lok Sabha before chargesheeting him.

Sukh Ram said he will challenge the order in the Delhi high court.

Sukh Ram's counsel P D Sharma will argue on May 23 in the other case against the former Union minister, relating to possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The telecom irregularity case relates to the alleged loss of Rs 16.8 million to the DoT during Sukh Ram's tenure.

The CBI, which is probing the scam, alleged that the minister favoured ARM in the Rs 330 million equipment supply contract. It said Sukh Ram and Ghosh abused their powers as public servants so that pecuniary benefits could accrue to ARM via the contract.

UNI

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