No directions on Balwa's application: CBI

The CBI today said the special court in the 2G scam case has not issued any directions on the application of accused Shahid Balwa allegedly asking it to refrain from interfering with witnesses.

"In fact neither any such directions have been issued nor such observations have been made by hon'ble special judge (2G spectrum case). The application is pending before the hon'ble special judge," CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said.

On the contrary, she said, prosecution witness A N Sethuraman, during his cross examination by Balwa's counsel stated that "it is incorrect to suggest that on November 9, 2011 before my appearance as a witness before this court, I was told by the CBI to depose in a particular manner".

According to the spokesperson, "As per Section 159 of Indian Evidence Act and various pronouncements of the superior courts, a witness has a right to refresh his memory by perusing relevant records."

She said Balwa and other accused had also filed certain applications suggesting the sequence for calling prosecution witnesses and after hearing arguments on behalf of the CBI the accused persons withdrew their applications. In the trial of the spectrum allocation case, deposition of four prosecution witnesses has been completed.