2G scam: Court rejects ex-telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura's bail plea

NEW DELHI: The bail plea of former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura, arrested for his role in the 2G scam, was rejected on Friday by a Delhi court on grounds of "enormity" of allegations and fears that he might influence witnesses.

"Considering the magnitude of the crime, nature and enormity of the allegations, character of evidence on record and the apprehensions that the witnesses may be influenced in case the accused is released on bail, I have no hesitation in holding that accused has failed to make out a case for bail," special CBI Judge O P Saini said.

"The bail application is without merit and the same is dismissed," he said.

The court, in its 167-page order, also noted that the possibility of witnesses being influenced by the accused could not be ruled out if he is released on bail.

"I may add that all the material witnesses were at one time subordinates of the accused and the possibility of they being influenced by the accused cannot be ruled out.

"Such possibility is more real in cases where there is or was a relationship of superior and subordinate between the accused and the witnesses and the case is of grave magnitude, like the instant case, which involves financial loss to the state exchequer to the tune of about Rs 30,000 crore. Such possibility is not remote, far fetched or imaginary," the judge said.