The CBI on Monday sought framing of a charge of criminal breach of trust against former communications minister A. Raja and 16 others allegedly involved in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, which might see the accused, if convicted, facing a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.
“It is submitted the facts, circumstances, allegations and evidence on record make out a charge under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) of the IPC in addition to the offences mentioned in the chargesheet,” a fresh plea filed before special CBI judge O.P. Saini said.
The agency said accused Mr Raja, his former personal secretary R.K. Chandolia and former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura were public servants having a dominion over valuable 2G spectrum in their respective capacities as public servants and that they flouted law in award of licenses which made out a case of criminal breach of trust against them.
The CBI has sought framing of additional charges against Mr Raja, Mr Chandolia and Mr Behura.
It also sought to try the remaining 14 accused, including DMK MP Kanimozhi, Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Balwa, under the same penal provision by making them a party to criminal conspiracy hatched by Mr Raja and two other public servants. It would also make others liable to face the same jail term if held guilty. The plea came as a shock for both the defence counsels as well as the relatives of the accused. Some of the family members, including the Balwas were seen sobbing.
The penal provisions under which the accused have been charged so far provided for seven years jail term.