2G scam: No bail yet for 5 accused corporate execs

The special CBI court in New Delhi today reserved its judgment on the bail pleas of five corporate executives who are in judicial custody in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Judge O P Saini reserved till 20 April his order on the bail applications moved by Vinod Goenka of Swan Telecom, Sanjay Chandra of Unitech, and three officials of the Reliance Anil Dhirubhani Ambani Group - Gautam Doshi, Hari Nair and Surendra Pipara.

They were named co-accused along with former telecom minister A Raja, his personal aide R K Chandolia, former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura, and Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Balwa, who are also in custody.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) argued today that the five executives be sent to jail as they could otherwise attempt to win over or influence witnesses.

"The severity of the offence cannot be determined by the length of the prescribed punishment. The financial health of the country has been completely bartered in this case and the accused should be remanded to judicial custody for smooth trial," special public prosecutor U U Lalit said.

Justice Saini, after hearing the arguments for three hours, reserved his verdict and ordered a "status quo" on the personal liberty of the accused.