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Journalism of Courage
The CBI on Monday sent a notice to former telecom minister A Raja,asking him to appear before the agency for questioning even as it grilled former TRAI chief Pradeep Baijal in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
Raja,who will reportedly be questioned about whether companies that were not eligible for spectrum allocation were given 2G licences at prices set in 2001,said he was not afraid of the CBI. Raja was served notice at his official residence.
Baijal,a 1966-batch IAS officer of the Madhya Pradesh cadre,was questioned by CBI sleuths on Monday for about three-and-a-half hours at the agencys headquarters here. I have given my clarifications to CBI, Baijal told reporters after the questioning. Asked what these clarifications were,Baijal shot back,Dont you understand English and added no comments.
In Chennai,a seemingly Raja said he was not afraid of the CBI and that he would cooperate with the investigating agency.
I am not afraid of the CBI. I am a lawyer. As a lawyer,I will abide by the law, the former telecom minister said when asked about the CBI summons.
Raja denied rumours that he was seeking anticipatory bail: I am not an accused and there is no question of my applying for anticipatory bail… CBI knows Raja had been extending cooperation to it. I am a lawyer and I know what law is.
He brushed aside speculation that he might get himself admitted to hospital to evade arrest.
Party president and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi,Rajas most influential backer so far,also said the summons was a routine official matter.
(Summoning) is their routine. It is usual in such cases that after searches are conducted,questions will be asked. So they will ask him questions,and he will answer them, Karunanidhi said.
Karunanidhi reiterated his earlier statement that the party would take action if Raja was found guilty.
To a question on the state of relationship between the Congress and the DMK after two rounds of CBI raids,Karunanidhi said the tie-up would continue. You cannot sever it, he said.
The premises of Raja in Delhi and Tamil Nadu as also those of Baijal and Niira Radia were searched by the CBI earlier this month in connection with the case.
The agency has to submit status report on its investigations in the 2G spectrum case by February 10 to the Supreme Court when the matter will come up for hearing.
