CBI files disproportionate assets case against former telecom minister A Raja

New Delhi: Almost four years after chargesheeting former Telecom Minister A Raja in the 2G Spectrum scam, the CBI on Wednesday registered a fresh case against the DMK leader for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets (DA) worth Rs 27.92 crore during the period of 11 years between 1999 and 2010.

The agency has registered the DA case against Raja and 16 others including his wife Parameswari, nephew Parmesh Kumar, his associate C Krishnamurthy (Director of Kovai Shelters Promoters Pvt. Ltd), wife of Sadiq Basha — an alleged associate of Raja who had committed suicide — and Reha Banu, a director in Greenhouse Promoters which was earlier owned by Basha among others.

Sources said the case was registered after the team investigating 2G spectrum case recently submitted a report to CBI, suggesting possibility of a disproportionate assets case against Raja.

Immediately after registering the case against Raja the agency sleuths conducted searches at 20 locations which included his house at A-33, Gulmohar Park where Raja was also present. Searches were also carried out at residential and official premises at six locations in Chennai, two in Coimbatore, eight in Perambalur and three in Tiruchirappalli, sources said.

Talking to reporters here, CBI spokesperson, Ms. Kanchan Prasad, said, “Searches led to recovery of incriminating documents like financial statements, IT returns, immovable property documents, bills and invoices. Documents pertaining to bank accounts and fixed deposits in the names of the accused have been recovered”.

She said the FIR has been registered for possession of alleged assets disproportionate to the known sources of income and under section 109 of IPC for abatement of the said offence.

The CBI in its fresh FIR, registered in Chennai, has alleged that during the period 1999- 2010, while serving as MP and Union minister for various ministries, Raja had amassed assets and pecuniary resources to the tune of Rs 27.92 crore in his name and in the name of family members and his other close associates which were disproportionate to his known sources of income.