Fresh evidence surfaces against accused in 2G case

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, April 21, 2015, DHNS:  The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) told the Supreme Court on Monday that it stumbled upon fresh evidence against some of the accused in the 2G scam case which gave a clear indication that they were attempting to influence the probe.

The investigation agency urged the court to allow registration of a fresh FIR on the basis of an audio tape which revealed various offences against some of the accused, which include attempting bribery, forgery, cheating and giving false evidence.

Senior advocate K K Venugopal, the CBI’s counsel, submitted before a bench of Chief Justice H L Dattu and Justice Arun Mishra that the agency received an audio tape which revealed that an attempt was made on behalf of a company to offer bribe to influence the case, he said. The tape was authenticated as well, he added.

Various offences, including those under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), 193 (to give false evidence), 201 (destruction of evidence), 465 (forgery), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 486 (selling goods marked with counterfeit property mark) of the Indian Penal Code were made out against the accused, he said. The CBI’s counsel read out the contents of the status report filed by the probe agency and the Enforcement Directorate, in a sealed cover, to the apex court.

“We want to register an FIR for further investigation in the 2G case itself,” Venugopal said. “The audio tapes made available suggest that a bribe was to be paid by the person associated with the company,” he added.

The bench, however, said, “Can we permit you (CBI) to add these charges without hearing the accused?” Appearing for the NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation, advocate Prashant Bhushan pointed out that the court’s permission for registration of the FIR did not warrant hearing the accused. The bench, on its part, posted the matter for hearing on April 30.

Earlier, the bench allowed BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to withdraw his plea challenging the move that relieved CBI joint director Ashok Tewari from the 2G case.