2G scam: court extends custody of Raja, others

A Delhi court on Thursday extended the judicial custody of former telecom minister A Raja and three other accused in the 2G spectrum case till 31 March.

Raja is currently lodged in Tihar Jail along with telecom secretary Siddharth Behura, Raja's former personal secretary R K Chandolia, and Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Balwa.

The four, who were slated to appear before special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge O P Saini through video-conferencing, were produced before the judge in person due to technical glitches in the video conferencing system linking Tihar Jail and the Patiala Court complex.

The court had on 3 March extended Raja's custody till today.

The CBI arrested Raja on 2 February on charges of criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the 2G scam.

Raja's personal secretary R K Chandolia, former telecom secretary Siddharth Behuria and former managing director of DB Realty Shahid Balwa have been so far arrested over their alleged roles in the 2G scam.

Raja was forced to resign from the union cabinet last year after the Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) faulted him for undervaluing spectrum to favour companies that were largely ineligible for 2G spectrum, and added that the government had probably lost Rs1.76 lakh crore in estimated revenue.