A Raja's shameful stint in Tihar jail completes a year today

The 2G spectrum smitten former minister A Raja on Thursday, Feb 2 completed one full year in Tihar jail, however, he is still far from breathing the air of freedom. Meanwhile, his tenure in jail is not slated to get over any time soon.

Raja is regarded the mastermind behind the biggest telecom scam in Independent India - the 2G spectrum scam. And perhaps, he was the first minister to virtually walk into jail straight from office, thus injecting a undisputable fear of punishment or at least imprisonment even though for a while for those who indulge in corruption.

Furthermore, the 2G scam controversy let opposition parties to mount the agony for the DMK during elections that eventually led to altered political course in Tamil Nadu. In the year 2011, the DMK met a devastating political debacle as AIADMK and other not-so-prominent political parties surpassed DMK in a number of seats. [ Read More: 2G effect: A Raja adapts to the way of life in Tihar].

Adding insult to injury, another DMK MP and Karunanidhi's daughter, Kanimozhi was also arrested and sent into Tihar jail where she languished in the confines for almost 6 months before she walked free on bail.

Interestingly, over the months Raja hasn't moved a bail plea so far. Earlier Raja said that he would wait for the outcome on the bail pleas of DMK MP Kanimozhi and five others before he himself sought one. However, he still has not made up his mind over moving his bail application but fighting the case within jail.

In the meantime, Raja is reportedly bestowed with extra facilities that other Tihar inmates are refrained from, starting from delicious foods to using the phone. Sources have claimed that Raja was provided with telephone facility to convey New Year wishes to his family members.

Raja is often visited by his wife, who is juggling between her stay in Chennai and Delhi. According to DMK sources, DMK member and known face in Delhi political circles, TR Baalu is constantly in touch with Raja and regularly visits him in jail. The party confirmed that they wouldn't back off their support to Raja in any condition and help him out every time during court trials and vouch their support to the jailed member.

The important question is, will the two subsequent high level committee meeting by the DMK scheduled to be held after Feb 2 discuss the fate of A Raja?

OneIndia News