The CBI on Thursday told the Special Court hearing the 2G spectrum case that it will provide copies of the transcripts of the ‘Radia tapes' to the accused by July 12.
The transcripts allegedly contain taped telephonic conversations of corporate lobbyist Ms Niira Radia with people including politicians, bureaucrats, corporates and journalists.
The CBI prosecutor, Mr A.K. Singh, told the Special CBI Judge, Mr O.P. Saini, that the agency will also provide certain additional documents to the accused.
Meanwhile, the Special Court said the framing of charges against the accused in the case may commence from July 15.
The development regarding the CBI agreeing to provide transcripts follows the submission of the lawyers of some of the accused before the court that they were not given the transcripts of ‘Radia tapes' by the CBI, despite her being a prosecution witness in the case.
The lawyers of the accused – Mr Raja, his former personal secretary Mr R.K. Chandolia, three Reliance ADAG officials, Unitech Wireless' Mr Sanjay Chandra, Swan Telecom and Reliance Telecom Ltd – had said that the CBI did not provide them all the documents that were filed along with the chargesheet and ‘relied upon'.
The lawyers had said the CBI also often refers to Ms Radia's statements made before it regarding her taped conversations. The accused are seeking these documents so that they can respond to them.
On its part, the CBI said the accused have not been provided copies of only those documents on which they have not relied upon.
The court had also warned the CBI and the defence that a fine could be imposed on them if they fail to complete soon the process of scrutiny and supply of all the documents that are relied upon.
The process has to be completed so that the arguments on framing of charges can commence.
On Thursday, the Special Court also allowed the scanning of all documents, adding that the process should be completed within three days. The scanning should be done under the supervision of the court staff and the investigating officer, the court said.