The Delhi High Court has taken a significant step by admitting the appeal filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against the acquittal of A Raja, K Kanimozhi, and 15 other high-profile individuals, including politicians, businessmen, and bureaucrats, in the infamous 2G spectrum allocation cases.
Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma granted the CBI’s “leave to appeal” against the trial court’s decision to acquit 17 accused in the 2G case. This formal permission allows the CBI to challenge the lower court’s ruling before a higher court. Justice Sharma noted that after reviewing the evidence and submissions, a prima facie case had been established, warranting a deeper examination of the entire evidence.
Furthermore, Justice Sharma stated that there is a compelling argument to convert the leave to appeal into a regular appeal, indicating the gravity and complexity of the case at hand.
The journey to this point has been long and arduous, spanning six years and 125 listings. Finally, on March 14, 2024, the order on the plea was reserved after extensive deliberation.
Remarkably, the matter was heard by seven different judges before it ultimately reached Justice Sharma, underscoring the intricacies and legal complexities involved in the 2G spectrum case.
The admission of the CBI’s appeal marks a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the 2G spectrum allocation scandal. The case, which shook the foundations of the Indian political and economic landscape, has been a subject of intense scrutiny and debate since its inception.