Court dismisses Raja's plea on cross-examining witnesses

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A plea by former Telecom Minister A Raja that he would not cross-examine prosecution witnesses unless the CBI probe is over in 2G spectrum case, was dismissed today by a Delhi court which began formal trial in the matter.

Raja made the plea minutes before Special Judge O P Saini commenced formal trial, beginning it with the recording of first prosecution witness, Reliance Capital Ltd Vice President Anand Subramaniam's statement.

"As soon as the investigation in this case, which started on October 21, 2009, is complete and all the statements as mandated in section 244 of the CrPC as supplied to the applicant, the right to recall the witnesses for cross examination will be exercised," Raja said in an application to the court.

Appearing for Raja, senior advocate Sushil Kumar told the court that the CBI has apprised the Supreme Court that their investigation in connection with Loop Telecom is going on.

Raja's counsel said the court should ask the agency if the investigation as far as all the 17 accused is complete.

He said the investigation in the case is going on as only one FIR has been registered by the CBI. The court, however, dismissed Raja's plea and began recording the statement of the first prosecution witness.