Here’s What 2G Case Judge OP Saini Said While Delivering Verdict

Proof in criminal cases is of a much higher standard: CBI Judge OP Saini.

Special CBI Judge OP Saini, who acquitted all the accused in the purported 2G spectrum scam that had rocked the UPA government, has said that the persecution failed to prove its allegations.

Former telecom minister A Raja, DMK leader Kanimozhi, all other accused, and three companies were also acquitted in the case.

He said that no material on record shows that A Raja was “mother lode of conspiracy” in the instant case.

There is also no evidence of his no-holds-­barred immersion in any wrongdoing, conspiracy or corruption...The end result of the above discussion is that, I have absolutely no hesitation in holding that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove any charge against any of the accused, made in its well-choreographed charge sheet.

OP Saini

The judge said that as there are no “proceeds of crime”, there is no need to discuss other issues based on evidence led by the parties.

Since there are no “proceeds of crime”, in my humble opinion, there is no need to discuss other issues based on evidence led by the parties, as that would amount to an exercise, not only in speculation but also in futility, as the very basic fact required for constitution of an offence of money-laundering, that is, “proceeds of crime”, is knocked out. Accordingly, all accused are entitled to be acquitted and are acquitted.

OP Saini

In its chargesheet, filed in April 2011 against Raja and others, the CBI had alleged that there was a loss of Rs 30,984 crore to the exchequer in allocation of 122 licences for 2G spectrum which were scrapped by the Supreme Court on 2 February 2012.

The Judge Who Gets the Job Done With Minimum Fuss

It’s a lesser known fact that Om Prakash Saini, the Special CBI judge who was chosen exclusively to handle the 2G trial, began his career as a sub-inspector (SI) in the Delhi Police. Hailing from Haryana, Saini sat for the judicial magistrate examination after six years in the police service.

Saini was handpicked to undertake all the trials after the Supreme Court, in 2011, asked the government to set up a special court to hear the 2G cases.

In the courts, Saini has a reputation of being a judge who is willing to roll up his sleeves and get the job done with a minimum of fuss.