2G Case: Delhi High Court Refuses Early Hearing On CBI’s Appeal

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined an application made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking an early hearing in its appeal against the acquittal of former Telecom Minister A. Raja and others in the 2G case.

Justice A.K. Chawla said the “arguments in the case will take place on the next date of hearing on October 24,” the previously scheduled date for hearing the case.

Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, representing the probe agency, sought an early hearing, saying a huge number of bilateral treaties were being invoked pursuant to the 2G verdict.

“If we lose on merit, we lose, but we should not lose on account of the matter not being heard,” Mr. Jain argued.

The High Court had previously posted the case for hearing on October 24, but the CBI wanted it advanced to an early date.

In December 2017, a special CBI court here acquitted Mr. Raja, Kanimozhi and others in the CBI and Enforcement Directorate cases relating to the 2G case, noting that the prosecution had “miserably failed” to prove the charges.

It had acquitted 17 others, including the late 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.

On March 19, 2018, the ED approached the High Court challenging the special court’s order acquitting all the accused. A day later, the CBI too had challenged in the HC the acquittal of the accused in the case.―The Hindu