Balwa allowed video-conferencing in 2G hearing

New Delhi: Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, lodged in Tihar Jail for his alleged role in 2G spectrum allocation scam, was allowed on Monday by a Delhi court to participate in its proceedings through video conferencing.

Balwa was allowed to participate in the court proceeding through video conferencing, close on the heels of a similar permission granted to former telecom minister A Raja who is also lodged in the jail for his alleged involvement in the case.

Special CBI Judge OP Saini allowed Balwa's plea to appear before it through video conferencing.

"The remand proceeding of accused Shahid Usman Balwa shall be conducted through the facility of video-conferencing on March 17 without him being physically brought to the court from Tihar Jail," the court said.

Balwa would be produced before the court through video conferencing along with Raja on March 17, while former Telecom Secretary Siddhartha Behura and Raja's personal secretary R K Chandolia, also lodged in Tihar Jail, would be brought to the court after expiry of their current tenure in judicial custody.

Balwa's counsel Vijay Aggarwal submitted before the court that his client is suffering from severe backache and considering his medical condition, he may be allowed to be produced before the court through video-conferencing. CBI's prosecutor too did not oppose the plea.

"As video electronic linkage is available both in the Patiala House court as well as in Tihar Jail and nothing contrary has been brought to my notice, the prayer is allowed," the judge said.

Raja was arrested along with Behura and Chandolia on February 2 while Balwa was taken into custody on February 8.

Balwa is charged with various penal offences relating to forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy.

CBI had earlier told the court that a transaction of about Rs 200 crores from Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd to Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd was made in 2009.

Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd belongs to Sharad Kumar and other close associates of Raja while the fund was arranged by Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd from D B Group firms having Balwa's family members as their directors and shareholders, CBI had told the court.

Raja is alleged to have manipulated rules to favour some telecom companies, including Swan Telecom and Unitech Private Limited, in allocation of spectrum at throwaway prices to them.