2G scam: A Raja wants Chacko to turn prosecution witness

Chennai, Apr 16: DMK's propaganda secretary and main accused in the 2G spectrum allocation case A Raja on Thursday said he would welcome Congress leader PC Chacko to depose as prosecution/court witness in the case.

"Instead of joining the proceedings of the court from outside, it would be better for the country that he (Chacko) may opt to come and depose evidence as a prosecution/ court witness and in such a case I will welcome it," Raja, the former Telecom minister, said here in a statement.

Raja was reacting to Chacko's comments to the media on Wednesday that the Congress supports the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) line that the former union telecom minister (Raja) misled the then prime minister Manmohan Singh on spectrum allocation process.

Raja said it was shocking and surprising that Chacko, who headed the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on spectrum issue, is now commenting on the trial court proceedings.

"It may be recalled that he (Chacko) is the man who didn't call me before the JPC to depose inspite of my several requests and the appeals made by the leaders of various parties," Raja said.

"And this gentleman PC Chacko also didn't have courage to include my detailed reply, which runs into more than 100 pages, in his report to maintain the fairness, transparency and credibility of the proceeding of the JPC, as against his assurance given to me personally and to Mr TR Balu, who was also the member of JPC," Raja added.

Raja said that by not calling him before the JPC for deposition and not enclosing his detailed reply in the final JPC report, Chacko has lost his moral or legal right to comment upon the trial court proceedings.

Raja said it was unwarranted on the part of Chacko to mislead the media and public by his comments.

IANS