2G hearing begins today; nine accused to appear in court

It promises to be an interesting day at the special CBI court in New Delhi today, as nine individuals accused in the 2G scam – four of whom are already in custody – are scheduled to appear before special judge O P Saini.

During the last hearing, the court had summoned all the charge-sheeted persons to appear before it today. Apart from the nine persons, at least two companies have also been charge-sheeted.

The five accused who are still at large could also be sent to jail today unless the court grants them bail.

The four who are already in custody are former telecom minister A Raja, former telecom secretary Siddartha Behura, Raja's former personal secretary R K Chandolia and Shahid Balwa, former managing director of Swan Telecom.

While Raja and his department of telecom (DoT) cohorts, including Chandolia and Behura, face charges of conspiracy; the ex-telecom minister faces forgery charges as well. Behura is the one who allegedly shut counters to physically block unwanted telecom companies from applying for spectrum. They are all charged under the prevention of corruption act for misusing their official position.

Among the companies most deeply embroiled is Reliance Communications, part of Anil Ambani's ADA Group. Ambani has been questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which believes Swan Telecom is indirectly financed by ADAG. This would mean that two companies of the same group were holding 2G spectrum, which is not permitted.