2G Scam Case Verdict: A Raja is accused of causing the state a loss of Rs. 1.76 lakh crore.
, believed to be India's biggest ever scam, which came to light six years ago. Mr Raja is accused of allocating airwaves and licenses for cellphone networks in exchange for kickbacks and causing the state a loss of Rs. 1.76 lakh crore. A Raja who was from Tamil Nadu-based regional party - DMK, has, however, been denying allegations of corruption and said the decisions were taken after apprising then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and were based on inputs from DoT, other Cabinet Ministers and the then Solicitor General. Several other politicians and executives of some of the top telecom companies, are named in the case. M Kanimozhi, the daughter of DMK chief M Karunanidhi -- also an accused in the case, was acquitted along with Mr Raja and 15 others.
Here are the live updates of the 2G spectrum verdict:
Congress's Anand Sharma on 2G spectrum case
Congress leader Anand Sharma said the telecom regulator TRAI had endorsed and recommended the 2G spectrum auction policy. "Public good and common good not necessarily served only by following a particular route... sometimes common good is more important than commercialisation of state's resources. At that that time perhaps this was the guiding principle," Anand Sharma told reporters.
"My actions as telecom minister for benefit of the masses," says A Raja
"My firm belief in the rightfulness of my actions as well as my faith in our nation's Justice System has been validated today. All my actions as Telecom Minister had been for the benefit of the masses, to make wireless service more economical and widely available, in line with the National Telecom Policy (NTP) and the recommendations of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)," A Raja said in a statement today.
2G spectrum case: Verdict underlines parliamentary committee's stand, says Congress leader
Senior Congress leader PC Chacko today said the special court verdict acquitting former telecom minister A Raja and DMK leader Kanimozhi in the 2G spectrum case underlined the stand taken by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the matter, news agency PTI reported. "Today's judgement of honourable CBI court underlines the stand taken by the JPC that the loss calculation (made by Comptroller and Auditor General) is erroneous and presumptive calculation is not correct," Mr Chacko, who headed the JPC that probed the 2G spectrum scam, said.
"Whole process was arbitrary"
"We don't want to comment on court's verdict, but it was the SC (Supreme Court) which had said that the whole process was arbitrary and power corridors were taking decisions, so I think nothing more needs to be said," said Manoj Sinha, Minister of State of the Ministry of Communications, reports news agency ANI.
Waited Everyday For 7 Years For Evidence, None Came: 2G JudgeSpecial CBI Judge OP Saini today rued that despite having "religiously" devoted seven years to 2G scam cases, no "legally admissible evidence" was placed before him by the CBI. The judge made the remark in his verdict acquitting former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK parliamentarian Kanimozhi and several others, including top corporate leaders, in three separate cases probed by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, news agency PTI reported.
"I may also add that for the last about seven years, on all working days, summer vacation included, I religiously sat in the open Court from 10 am to 5 pm, awaiting for someone with some legally admissible evidence in his possession, but all in vain," Mr Saini said in his 1,552-page verdict in the CBI's case involving Mr Raja and others.
CBI says will move high court over 2G spectrum verdict
The CBI today said it will appeal in the High Court against the special CBI court verdict giving a clean chit to all accused in the 2G spectrum case and said the court has failed to note in "proper perspective" the prosecution's evidence, news agency IANS reported. "The CBI will be taking necessary legal remedies in the matter and is planning to move to High Court against the special court's verdict in the 2G scam case dated December 21, 2017," a CBI statement said. The remarks came after a special CBI court on Thursday acquitted all the accused in the 2G scam, including then Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK's Kanimozhi.
Will decide future course of action after studying verdict, says CBI
The CBI has said it would study the special court verdict and then decide the future course of action on the case. "We are yet to receive the complete judgement. We will study it, take legal opinion and decide future course of action," CBI spokesperson Abhishek Dayal said.
Company had to pay the price for the case: Unitech MD Sanjay Chandra
Unitech MD Sanjay Chandra said there was no wrong doing on his part but his company had to pay the price for the case foisted on him, hours after the acquittal of the 17 accused in the 2G spectrum allocation case by a special court in Delhi. Anil Ambani led Reliance Group also welcomed the court verdict.
CBI to appeal in higher court, reports news agency PTI
MK Stalin to meet Karunanidhi
Big day for the DMK family
"We are very happy that justice has prevailed. It is a big day for the DMK family. It is an answer to all the blames & the problems we faced," says Kanimozhi after her acquittal.
"Congress leaders are treating verdict as badge of honour": Arun Jaitley
Read here for the full story.
"Today, there has been against the accused in the 2G spectrum case by the special judge. Congress leaders are taking this judgement as a badge of honour and a certification that the 2G policy was an honest policy." The Finance Minister further said that in 2008, the spectrum was not given by an auction and that it was being given by the UPA government on 2001 prices which was fixed at 1734 crore.
The matter should be taken to a higher court if the government has concrete evidence, says Anna Hazare.
Verdict further proves that there was no wrong done: MK Stalin
All acquitted to furnish bail bond of Rs. 5 lakh each
All acquitted in the 2G spectrum scam case will have to furnish a bail bond of Rs. 5 lakh each. This is done to ensure their presence in a higher appellate court if the verdict is challenged, reports news agency ANI.
Vinod Rai should apologize to the country: Kapil Sibal
"My point has been proved today. There was no corruption, no loss of the state. Vinod Rai should apologize to the country", said Kapil Sibal.
"Court found innocent people have been wronged": Shashi Tharoor
Expressing joy over the acquittal of all the accused in the 2G scam spectrum case, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said that "the Court found that innocent people have been wronged. Justice has worked as it is supposed to work in our country."
DMK supporters celebrate A Raja, M Kanimozhi's acquittal
Allegation of a major scam involving the highest levels of government was never true, was not correct and that has been established today: P Chidambaram
"Victory begins now"
Senior DMK leader Durai Murugan said "conspiracies were hatched against us but all have been blown away now. With political motives this case was put in us" over the acquittal of A Raja and Kanimozhi in the 2G scam case. "Victory begins now," he added.
"Would like to thank everyone who stood by me": M Kanimozhi
Court said prosecution failed miserably, says lawyer
"The Court said that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove any of its charge. Thus all accused have been acquitted, said lawyer of Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa, Vinod Goenka and others, Vijay Aggarwal.
"Justice has prevailed", says M Kanimozhi
All accused acquitted of all charges
The court acquitted both A Raja and M Kanimozhi in the 2G scam, said to be the biggest scam in India till date and what the Time Magazine called it the biggest example of abuse of executive power after US President Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal. All the other accused in the scam have also been acquitted by court.
2G verdict delayed as hundreds of A Raja supporters arrive at court
Hundreds of A Raja supporters arrived at the Patiala House Court, which is to give the verdict on Mr Raja's role in the 2G scam, cause security problems.
Kanimozhi's mother Rajathi Ammal, half-brother MK Alagiri, her husband G Aravindaan and other DMK leaders are also present at the special court.
On November 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited ailing DMK chief M Karunanidhi at his residence in Chennai. The timing of the visit which triggered speculation on whether the BJP, which has been trying to expand its presence in Tamil Nadu, was considering the DMK as an option to partner with. Read here.
The 2G scam was among the major corruption scandals that came to light during the second term of the UPA government headed by Dr Manmohan Singh.
A Raja arrives at Patiala House Court for the verdict
A Raja stepped down in 2010 after the auditor's report and was arrested in 2011.He was accused of cheating, forgery and conspiracy. The chargesheet also said he misled Manmohan Singh.
Kanimozhi arrives at Patiala House Court
Daughter of DMK chief M Karunanidhi and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi arrives at Patiala Court in Delhi. Kanimozhi is also an accused in the case. The CBI has said a Rs. 200-crore bribe paid by a telecom to Mr Raja was deposited in the account of a Chennai-based television channel, which she partly owns. She has, however, denied any wrongdoing. Charges against Kanimozhi include criminal conspiracy to cause criminal breach of trust by a public servant and criminal conspiracy (Section 120-B), cheating (Section 420) and forgery (Sections 468 and 471). She has also been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
A Raja leaves from his residence for Patiala House Court
Court to give verdict after a 6-year-trial on what the Time Magazine called it the biggest example of abuse of executive power after US President Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal.