HC reserves order on bail plea of 2G accused Behura

The Delhi High Court today reserved its order on the bail plea of former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura, an accused in the 2G spectrum allocation scam involving former Union Minister A Raja. Justice Ajit Bharihoke reserved the order after the counsel for Behura and CBI concluded their arguments on the bail plea.

Opposing Behura's bail plea, the CBI said the senior bureaucrat had doctored the list of telecom licence applicants to extend undue benefits to Swan Telecom.

"The role and complicity of Behura in the case is very clear as he legitimised the application of ineligible firm Swan Telecom Private Ltd. and compromised with the seniority list of the applicants to extend undue benefits to it," the agency said.

Special Public Prosecutor U U Lalit argued that "Behura played an active role in giving licences to Swan Telecom, promoted by Shahid Usman Balwa, despite objections."

"The undue haste shown in awarding licences to Swan Telecom...amply indicated the role of Behura in the case," Lalit added. Appearing for Behura, senior advocate Aman Lekhi, submitted that client was only performing his duties being the secretary of the department of telecommunication and no way his name could be linked in the conspiracy.

"There was no involvement of Behura in the distribution of Letter Of Intents (LOI) in the whole episode," Lekhi said.

CBI's first charge sheet filed on April 2 named Behura along with others. Charges of cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and corruption have been levelled against former communications minister Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi, Behura and 11 others in the case. At present, all the 14 are lodged in Tihar Jail.