Acquittal of 17 Accused in the 2G Scam Triggers a Political Battle

DMK Leader M Kanimozhi hailed the verdict saying, “the law has won and justice has prevailed.”

17 accused in the 2G spectrum acquitted of all charges by a CBI Court in New Delhi

Photo : The Quint

Former UPA telecom minister A Raja, DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and 15 others were acquitted on Thursday, 21 December, of all charges in the 2G spectrum "scam". Judge OP Saini read out a single-line verdict – “all acquitted of all charges”.

Following the verdict, DMK Leader M Kanimozhi hailed the verdict. She said, “the law has won and justice has prevailed. For several years, false accusations have been hurled at me. The court has clearly rubbished all charges”

Former PM Manmohan Singh, whose government was slammed over the case, spoke to reporters after the verdict.

<p>I think the court’s judgment has to be respected. I am glad that the court has pronounced unambiguously with all this massive propaganda raised against the UPA without any foundation.</p>

<p>Manmohan Singh, Former Prime Minister</p>

In the government’s first reaction after the verdict, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley accused the Congress of designing policies to promote corruption.

<p>The policy was arbitrary and designed to promote corruption. It was implemented in an unfair manner. It was causing loss of revenue to the government. Auctioning was getting a higher price. Who is liable for this entire scam? In a criminal case, special judge has said nobody is liable. I am sure the investigating and prosecuting agencies will look into it.</p>

<p>Arun Jaitley, Finance Minister</p>

The petitioner of the 2G Spectrum scam BJP MP Subramanian Swamy hit out at the verdict calling it a wrong judgment by Justice OP Saini.

<p>A very bad judgment by Judge Saini. This is not a setback at all, it’s an aberration as the law officers were not serious about fighting corruption. So I hope the PM takes lesson from this. </p>

<p>Subramanian Swamy, Rajya Sabha MP</p>

DMK cadres took to the streets to celebrate the verdict. DMK’s Working President MK Stalin welcomed the court’s decision. He said,“several rumours and allegations have been hurled at DMK over the years. Opposition parties have targeted us and tarnished our image. None of the accusations have been proven. We are happy and we welcome the court's decision.”

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu’s Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar stated that AIADMK will remain the strongest party, irrespective of corruption charges cleared out for the DMK.

<p> Only Congress and DMK will be in favour of the verdict because they are charged of corruption. It won’t make the DMK stronger. AIADMK will remain the strongest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>D Jayakumar, Fisheries Minister, TN</p>

Video Editor: Vivek Gupta