Dec. 20: With 52 days left to file its status report to the Supreme Court, the CBI on Monday summoned the former IT and communications minister, Mr A. Raja, and the corporate lobbyist, Ms Niira Radia, for questioning. Mr Raja will be appear before the CBI this week.
The CBI issued notices to Mr Raja for the first time after registering the FIR more than a year ago on October 21, 2009, against “unknown persons.”
In a related development, Mr Pradip Baijal, a former chairman of Trai was questioned twice on Monday. This is the third time that the former bureaucrat was questioned.
Mr Raja said he would make himself available to the CBI for questioning soon. “I got a message from the CBI that they wanted to question me. This is a natural procedure after they conduct raids. I am ready for questioning and I will not evade any process of law,” he said, adding that the CBI was aware of his cooperation.
“I am a lawyer and former Union minister. I know what the due process of law is. I am in touch with the CBI headquarters,” Mr Raja said. He said he would appear before the CBI on a date convenient to them.
Mr Raja caused a brief flutter when he visited a local hospital for a health check-up. With media reporting that he was playing a ‘trick’, Mr Raja said he would not seek anticipatory bail since he was not an accused in the case.
The CBI has served notice to Mr Raja at his official residence under Section 160 of CrPC to appear before it for questioning. Under the Section, a person is asked to join the investigation and share all information that he or she may have about a case.