Former telecom minister A. Raja, who is at the centre of the 2G spectrum controversy on Wednesday made an “emotional” submission before the Supreme Court that he was submitting himself to the “justice” of the top court after being “condemned and convicted” even before investigation and trial.
Opening arguments in defence of Mr Raja, his counsel T.R. Andhyarujina claimed that the former telecom minister had committed “no wrong” in allocation of 2G spectrum licences and fixing their prices as he had only followed the policy pursued by his immediate predecessor and DMK colleague Dayanidhi Maran and Arun Shourie, who was telecom minister in the NDA government.
“He (Raja) does not want to take an confrontationist attitude and whatever direction is issued by the court, he will abide by it,” Mr Andhyarujina said adding, that “Today, I stand before you (the court) with my stakes so low that whatever I speak will not stand but a person has to be given a chance to defend himself.”
While raising “doubt” on the `1.76 lakh crores of loss projected by the Comptroller-and-Auditor General in its report to the exchequer, Mr Raja’s lawyer stated that the national auditor himself has stated that the loss was “presumptive” and if the public accounts committee (PAC) of Parliament later gives different findings then who would pay for the loss of reputation.
“The figure of `1.67 lakh crore loss is mind-boggling and any person in higher position will ask how it can happen. The way things are blown I stand condemned and convicted that I am responsible for the loss of `1.76 lakh crores. Some people even have gone to the extent of saying that I have looted the country,” Mr Raja through his counsel submitted.