CBI to appeal in 2G case by Friday

By Friday this week, the CBI will file an appeal before the Delhi High Court against the acquittal of all the accused individuals and entities in the 2G Spectrum Scam case.

Sources in the agency said they will challenge the acquittal of the accused by the trial court and the appeal will “underscore that the evidence adduced in the chargesheet” is strong enough to substantiate the charges but was overlooked during the trial.

Also, Additional Solicitor General Tushar Mehta has been appointed as Special Public Prosecutor for the case. The appeal is under formulation after thorough examination of the order and it will emphasise that the evidence cited by CBI in its chargesheet was strong enough to substantiate the allegations levelled in the FIR, the official said.

“In its appeal, the agency will stress that the evidence was not appreciated by court in the correct perspective and the entirety of the material on record. We will challenge the trial court verdict soon,” a senior CBI official said.

The move comes after legal opinion sought by the agency suggested there were sufficient reasons and evidentiary material to go in appeal against the verdict. The government has also granted permission for filing the appeal, sources said.

The case was investigated in a professional manner, including collection of evidence to prove the charges, and challenging the acquittals in the case is only a logical step, another official said.

A special CBI court on December 21 acquitted all the 14 individuals, including prime accused and former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi, besides three entities of all the charges of corruption and criminality.

ALL 14 ACQUITTED

• A special CBI court had acquitted all 14 individuals, including prime accused and former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi, besides three entities of all the charges of corruption and criminality