Swamy gets court nod to prosecute Raja

A Delhi court today held as "maintainable" a private complaint filed by Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy seeking prosecution of former telecom minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum case.

"I am of the opinion that complaint as such is maintainable," special CBI judge Pradeep Chaddah said.

The court said Swamy will first have to depose as a complainant in the case, and only then can his plea seeking appointment as a deemed public prosecutor be decided on. "You cannot assume the roles of a complainant and a public prosecutor simultaneously," the judge said.

"I am not seeking the dual role," Swamy replied and added, "I will first testify as a complainant and then would like to assist this court in prosecuting the accused in the massive scam."

The judge said, "I have also gone through the complaint and the bunch of annexures and supporting documents and I am of the view that this complaint is maintainable and the proceeding will continue."

As far as the summoning of the accused and other witnesses are concerned, applications for that could be filed at a later stage, the judge said.