New Delhi:
All those accused in the 2G spectrum scam and their lawyers were in for a surprise as the Delhi High Court issued a notification saying the 2G trial will be transferred to the Tihar jail court complex.
Special CBI Judge O P Saini announced that the trial venue of the case is to be shifted as per a Delhi High Court notification, received by him today.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 9 (6) of the CrPC 1973, the acting Chief Justice and judges of this court (Delhi High Court) have been pleased to order that the trial of the 2G spectrum cases shall be held in Tihar court complex, New Delhi, according to law," read the notification issued by the high court.
The announcement by the judge triggered protests by former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and other accused, who contended that the move was bereft of valid reasons.
Raja said, "I do not know what is happening in this country."
The defence counsel opposed the notification, saying if the trial is shifted to the Tihar jail, it would create a lot of inconvenience as everybody will have to get an entry pass to Tihar Jail made before attending the proceedings.
"This is a completely illegal order. It has to be with the consent of the prosecution and the accused. Nobody has been consulted," said Sushil Kumar, former telecom minister A Raja's lawyer.
Protesting lawyers say they will raise the matter with the acting Chief Justice and seek a stay against the administrative order tomorrow morning.
Mr Raja was arrested in February this year; the CBI is handling the case against him and 13 others accused of criminal conspiracy. The Supreme Court is monitoring the CBI's investigation; a special court headed by Judge OP Saini is handling the trial.