CBI told to file Law Ministry report on telecom firms

The report states that clause 8 applies only to companies holding a telecom licence and not to the applicants.

Stating that its filing was in the interest of fairness of trial and its transparency, the court hearing the 2G spectrum allocation case on Monday asked the CBI to place on record the report of the Ministry of Law & Justice that defines associate as per clause 8 of the UASL guidelines.

The move may weaken the CBIs case against Swan Telecom and Reliance Telecom Ltd,as acceptance of the Law Ministrys interpretation would mean that Swan will cease to be seen as an associate of Reliance Telecom Ltd,as alleged in the chargesheet.

The report states that clause 8 applies only to companies holding a telecom licence and not to the applicants. Though the Reliance ADA Group had a stake in Swan at the time of application,RTL had withdrawn itself by the time licences were awarded.

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As soon as Special Judge O P Saini spoke the order and left the room,the lawyers and accused were seen congratulating each other.

As the news filtered to the back of the room,relatives who have been attending the proceedings hugged the accused. First,first, muttered a member of Shahid Balwas family,implying the first breakthrough in the case had arrived. He went on to shake hands with a smiling A Raja,which turned into a warm hug,and kissed Balwa on the forehead with the words,By Gods grace.

After stating that it would not be forced into filing the report,the CBI had left the matter to the discretion of the court. The report is largely legalistic in nature clarifying a law point only, said the order.