A Raja leaves for Delhi to face CBI

Former telecom minister A Raja has left Chennai to appear for questioning on the 2G spectrum allocation scam at Central Bureau of Investigation?s (CBI) headquarters in the national capital, reports said on Wednesday.

According to reports, Raja will be facing the CBI in the next two days.

He was supposed to appear before the CBI on Monday. But the tainted minister said he has informed the CBI that he could not be present for Monday?s questioning in New Delhi and would be there at the next date.

On Monday, Raja said: ?The CBI wants to question me, it is not unusual. It is a matter of procedural matter.?

?I am a lawyer and I will abide by the law. Getting summons is a usual process. CBI is the prime investigating agency and it knows what kind of cooperation I have been extending. I will continue to do so,? he added.

The former Union minister also dismissed reports that he would seek anticipatory bail.

?I am not an accused and I am not in hiding and will not seek anticipatory bail,? Raja said.

Both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have to submit a status report to the Supreme Court in February, after the apex court said last week that it would monitor all 2G probes.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) found the allocation of spectrum in 2008 having caused a loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore to the government exchequer as companies, not eligible for 2G allocation, were given licences at undervalued prices.

Raja’s residences in Delhi and Tamil Nadu were raided along with those of former bureaucrats who worked closely with him.

Raja had to resign as the Telecom minister last month in the wake of the controversy.