CBI secures protection for witnesses in 2G case

Chennai, April 15: The Central Bureau of Investigation is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the probe into 2G Spectrum allocation scandal is taken to its logical conclusion. Wary about the dangers to the witnesses life, the CBI has secured protection for the seven star prosecution witnesses in the 2G spectrum case, said reports.

In a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs, CBI had written, "the matter(2G Scandal) is sensitive and influential people are involved in it. And there is threat to their life so security should be provided to them."

Opposing the bail pleas of accused persons, UU Lalit, the Special Public Prosecutor on April 13 argued in the the CBI court, "Our apprehension is that witnesses are under critical threat."

The Times of India has quoted anonymous sources in the CBI as saying, "The witnesses have given statements against Raja and others and have given important clues in the case. They have to also appear in the court in near future, if required, and we cannot risk their lives."

The measures taken by the CBI to ensure the safety of the seven key witnesses, acquires significance after the death of Sadiq Batcha, a key figure in the 2G probe and a close associate of former telecom minister A Raja.

The agency has taken over the investigation of Batcha's suicide from the Tamil Nadu police, which in itself is an indication enough that the CBI smells something fishy in the matter.

The seven witnesses who have given their statements under Section 164 of the Cr PC to the magistrate implicating Raja and his co-accused, and also who have been granted security are, Aseervatham Achary (former additional PS to A Raja), Ashok Wadhwa (Group CEO of Ambit Holdings), Ashish Karyekar (GM of Reliance Infrastructure), AK Srivastava (then DDG in DoT), Deodatta Pandit (former company secretary in Reliance ADAG), Ram Jee Singh Kushvaha (Joint Wireless Advisor) and RP Aggarwal (the then Wireless Advisor).

OneIndia News