2G: Raja, Kani allowed to cast vote for presidential poll

New Delhi, Jul 19: Former Telecom Minister Andimuthu Raja and DMK MP

, facing trial in the 2G spectrum case, were on Wednesday exempted by a Delhi court from appearing before it to cast their votes in the presidential poll on Thursday.

Raja, MP from Nilgiris constituency in Tamil Nadu, and Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP from the state, sought exemption from personal appearance in the court on Thursday on the ground that being members of Parliament, they have to participate in the presidential elections.

Special CBI Judge OP Saini allowed their oral pleas for exemption from personal appearance on Thursday after the CBI did not object to it.

Raja and Kanimozhi, along with 15 others, are facing trial for their alleged roles in the 2G scam and are presently out on bail.

The accused have been charge-sheeted by the CBI for committing various offences under the Indian Penal Code, including those of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by a public servant, forgery and fabrication of evidences.

They are also facing trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

PTI