2G Case: Court Order on CBI Plea for More Witnesses on November 18

A court in New Delhi Tuesday fixed November 18 as the date for delivering its order on the CBI plea seeking permission to examine some more people as prosecution witnesses in the 2G spectrum allocation case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation Special Judge O.P. Saini set November 18 for delivering his order on the investigating agency's plea seeking the court's directions to summon Enforcement Directorate (ED) Deputy Director Rajeshwar Singh and others as prosecution witnesses.

The court order came after prosecution and defence counsels concluded their arguments.

Many accused, including former communications minister A. Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi, opposed the CBI plea seeking permission to examine some more people as prosecution witnesses in the case.

(Also See: Trai Chief Questions Need for All Spectrum Allocation to Be via Auction)

Kanimozhi has told the special court that the CBI has filed this application at a "highly belated stage" when the recording of evidence has already been closed, and requested the court to dismiss the plea.

The agency has told the court that some fresh facts have emerged in the probe conducted by the ED which had filed a separate chargesheet against 19 accused in a money laundering case related to the 2G scam. The court will hear final arguments in the case on November 18.

According to the CBI, the then telecom minister A. Raja was biased in allocating 2G mobile airwaves and operating licences to telecom firms, causing a huge loss to the state exchequer.

The court framed charges on October 22, 2011, against 14 accused and three companies under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

All the accused, including Raja, are out on bail.