13 years ago
A Raja addresses people in his constituency of Nilgiris:
- Only charges of abuse of power and favouring few companies framed against me
- There is no mention that the government suffered any loss
- This journey for justice from Nilgiris will end in victory soon
After jail stint, A Raja to visit his constituency todayAfter getting a hero's welcome in Chennai on Friday, former Telecom Minister A Raja is visiting his constituency, Nilgiris for two days starting today. Not surprisingly, he got a rousing welcome in Coimbatore too, from where he will travel on road to his constituency.
A Raja out of jail after 15 months; at his home, dinner for 200
A Raja released: After 15 months in jail, former telecom minister A Raja is back at home. Dinner for 200 people was organised at his home in Delhi for a grand welcome for the man accused of crafting and implementing India's biggest scam.
A Raja released: After 15 months in jail, former telecom minister A Raja is back at home. Dinner for 200 people was organised at his home in Delhi for a grand welcome for the man accused of crafting and implementing India's biggest scam.
A Raja reaches home after 15 months in jail
Mr Raja has arrived home in a convoy of cars, to the sound of celebratory drumbeats.
A Raja gets bail; leaves Tihar JailThe man who allegedly designed and implemented India's biggest scam, A Raja, is out of the Tihar Jail. He was granted bail earlier today. The former telecom minister spent 15 months in jail for the telecom swindle, also referred to as the 2G scam for the sort of airwaves that are at the heart of the controversy.
On the lawns of Mr A Raja's Motilal Nehru Marg residence in Delhi, arrangements have been made for about 200 people to welcome the MP home. There is dinner for them all. Flower arrangements dot the house.
Many Raja supporters waited for over two hours at a Tihar Jail gate, but the DMK leader was whisked away through another gate. Once his car was spotted speeding away, the supporters boarded the buses they had come in and left for Mr Raja's residence to greet him there.
Many Raja supporters waited for over two hours at a Tihar Jail gate, but the DMK leader was whisked away through another gate. Once his car was spotted speeding away, the supporters boarded the buses they had come in and left for Mr Raja's residence to greet him there.
A Raja has been released from Tihar Jail.
UPDATE: Raja walks out of Tihar jail
A grand reception awaits A Raja at his residence at Motilal Nehru marg. At the lawns at his residence arrangements are made for around 200 people to welcome Raja
Just In: DMK Chief Karunanidhi says, "I am happy. We support Raja. He has been an active member. We will continue to back him."
Kanimozhi entering Patiala House Courts this morning
DMK supporters celebrate Raja's bail
Raja leaves Patiala House Court premises for Tihar
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa: "I am hearing about the bail (for A Raja) through you...I think the 2G case is getting diluted."
Jayalalithaa reacts to A Raja's bail, says 2G case is getting diluted
Long legal battle lies ahead, says A Raja's wifeA Raja's wife, M A Parmesweri, dressed in a green sari, looked relieved as she walked out of court. There would be no celebrations yet, she said, but the family would gather. "We are happy. The family will get together. Our daughter will be happy," she said.
DMK MP TKS Elangovan: "The DMK is totally behind Raja and he continues to hold the post of propaganda secretary. We welcome this order...It is for Raja to decide whether he needs security after being released from jail."
Excerpt from the judge's order granting bail to A Raja: "An apprehension has been expressed by the prosecution that the accused may influence witnesses or tamper with evidence. However, the case is going on for more than a year and no such incident has been brought to my notice. Furthermore, almost the entire evidence in the case is documentary in nature and it's in the custody of the court. "
Excerpt from the judge's order granting bail to A Raja: "Considering the period of detention in light of the progress of the case, I'm of the opinion that further detention of the accused would not serve any purpose. There's neither any allegation nor material on record to suggest that if the accused is released on bail, he would flee from justice.
DMK supporters distributed laddoos and chocolates outside the court.
Is the 2G case fizzling out? Vote here
The man who allegedly designed and implemented India's biggest scam, A Raja, has been granted bail. The former telecom minister, has spent 15 months in jail for the telecom swindle, also referred to as the 2G scam for the sort of airwaves that are at the heart of the controversy.
The man who allegedly designed and implemented India's biggest scam, A Raja, has been granted bail. The former telecom minister, has spent 15 months in jail for the telecom swindle, also referred to as the 2G scam for the sort of airwaves that are at the heart of the controversy.
The court has set the following conditions for bail for A Raja:
- He has to submit two sureties of 20 lakh each
- He cannot visit Tamil Nadu without the court's permission
- He cannot visit the Department of Telecommunications without the court's permission
- He will have to surrender his passport
- He has to submit two sureties of 20 lakh each
- He cannot visit Tamil Nadu without the court's permission
- He cannot visit the Department of Telecommunications without the court's permission
- He will have to surrender his passport
Raja after court granted him bail
There is yet no word from DMK chief M Karunanidhi in Chennai. He is expected to react carefully. A Raja, the DMK's Dalit face, is a popular leader and has long been seen as a Karunanidhi favourite. The DMK's TR Baalu said the party was happy that Mr Raja had been granted bail.
Watch: Raja blows kisses to supportersMr Raja could walk out of Tihar Jail by this evening. All the 13 other individuals accused were released the same day. The release order is expected to reach Tihar Jail soon.
A Raja's wife, M A Parmesweri, dressed in a green sari, looked relieved as she walked out of court. There would be no celebrations yet, she said, but the family would gather. "We are happy. The family will get together. Our daughter will be happy," she said.
She also noted that a long legal battle lies ahead.
She also noted that a long legal battle lies ahead.
Mr Raja has to deposit two sureties of Rs 20 lakh each.
If all paperwork is processed, Mr Raja could walk out of Tihar Jail by this evening. All the 13 other individuals accused were released the same day. The release order is expected to reach Tihar Jail soon.
The BJP's first reaction on bail for Raja: Raja is a small fish; must go after the bigger fish.
Before the order, Raja told NDTV's A Vaidyanathan that he did not expect bail. His wife chanted prayers under her breath as the judge announced the order. Once verdict was out, Raja was carried out of court by jubilant supporters.
Defence lawyers said a release warrant would be sent to Tihar Jail now and they would release Mr Raja immediately thereafter.
About 150 supporters waited outside court in anticipation of their leader getting bail - many of them have come down all the way from his Lok Sabha constituency Nilgiris. A spontaneous cheer went up as it became known that Mr Raja had been granted bail.
DMK leader TR Baalu told the media, "We are very happy."
One DMK MP was present when order was passed. Kanimozhi came in the morning and left after spending an hour in court.
A loud cheer went up among nearly 150 supporters of Mr Raja's party, the DMK, as the judge announced his verdict.
Mr Raja's wife, M A Parmesweri, was seen with tears in her eyes.
The conditions for his bail make it necessary for Mr Raja to get the court's permission to visit his home state of Tamil Nadu.
Mr Raja's wife, M A Parmesweri, was seen with tears in her eyes.
The conditions for his bail make it necessary for Mr Raja to get the court's permission to visit his home state of Tamil Nadu.
From NDTV Alok Pandey: Raja is blowing kisses to his supporters
Raja was whispering prayers when judge started reading the order
DMK supporters cheer as A Raja gets bail after 15 months in jail
UPDATE: Raja granted bail
From Alok Pandey: A Raja walking in and out of courtroom to speak to Lawyers and supporter. His wife M A Parmesweri also in court.
From NDTV's Neha Khanna: A Raja is sitting with his wife, waiting for the order to be pronounced. He looks relaxed; he is smiling, chatting with people.
A Raja: The main accused in the 2G spectrum allocation scamHe earned the notoriety of allegedly masterminding arguably India's biggest scam; witnessed the proverbial "mighty fall from grace" as he, with much reluctance, stepped down as Central minister and was later sent to prison. But A Raja, isolated in his cell in Tihar Jail, remains defiant.
Alok Pandey: Judge says order on Raja bail before lunch ; and gets up and walks out . Raja asks me ' what did judge say ? ' And I tell him ' sir before lunch'
From NDTV's Alok Pandey : Raja , Shahid Balwa and a lawyer have a two minute conversation . Raja gets up , goes upto Kanimozhi and has a short conversation . Now Raja sitting in the last row in court and smiling and cracking jokes with Kanimozhi
Raja is seated in the second row , wearing a white shirt and grey trousers ; Shahid Balwa seated a row ahead , almost in front of him . Kanimozhi seated seperately from the two ; still awaiting orders
Raja arrives in court, wearing a broad smile, greeted by DMK supporters outside the courtroom. Kanimozhi among DMK supporters inside court.
Shahid Balwa, Vinod Goenka, Sidharth Behura- the other accused in the 2G case and now out on bail- wish him luck.
Shahid Balwa, Vinod Goenka, Sidharth Behura- the other accused in the 2G case and now out on bail- wish him luck.
2G case: Will former Telecom Minister A Raja get bail today?This is the first time since his arrest in February 2011 that Mr Raja has applied for bail.
Witness being examined now. The order is expected after this examination.
From NDTV's Alok Pandey: Court of OP Saini starts; courtroom full with lawyers and journalists - more journos than lawyers in court
The order is likely to be pronounced after 2 pm. Before that, the judge is likely to focus on the ongoing examination of witnesses.
Who is A Raja?Of the 19 people accused in the 2G scam, Mr Raja is the only one who has not been granted bail so far. But the former Telecom Minister, after spending over a year in jail, is hoping to finally get some relief from the court today.
Mr Raja's supporters from the DMK are likely to be present at the court in large numbers today. His family is expected to attend the hearing too.
Mr Raja is one of the three public servants charged in the 2G spectrum scam, and the only accused in the case who is still behind bars.
This is the first time since his arrest in February 2011 that Mr Raja has applied for bail.
