India: Court Slaps Charges on Raja, Kanimozhi In 2G Scam

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- A trial court today charged two prominent South Indian politicians and 15 others, allegedly involved in a multi-billion ringgit mobile phone licensing scam.

Former Telecom minister A. Raja and lawmaker K. Kanimozhi faced multiple charges after India's top anti-graft agency, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), framed charges after a lengthy probe.

Fifteen others, including several chiefs of top Indian telecommunication firms, were also charged. If convicted, all could face punishment of a minimum seven years to maximum life imprisonment.

"They have denied all charges and they (Raja and Kanimozhi) should be given bail immediately. Denying bail to the accused is wrong as they have the right to get bail.

"The party will fight the case in court," T. K. S. Elangovan, Dravida Munnttera Kazhagam (DMK) spokesman told reporters in Delhi.

Both Raja and Kanimozhi, senior DMK politicians, were imprisoned in India's high-security Tihar Jail for more than five months now.

Raja was held responsible for issuing mobile phone spectrum licences (2G) to selected telecom firms in 2008, based on the much lower 2001 market price, thus incurring hefty losses to the exchequer -- estimated at US$38 billion (RM120 billion).

Kanimozhi was alleged to have received nearly RM140 million as kick-backs from the same scandal, money believed to have been routed via a Chennai-based television channel controlled by the politician.

Charges levelled against the two included, criminal breach of trust under Section 409 of Indian Penal Court, cheating, criminal conspiracy, forgery and accepting bribes. -- NNN-BERNAMA