Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court Tuesday granted bail to jailed Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Balwa, an accused in the 2G spectrum allocation case, citing the “principle of parity”.

CBI Special Judge O.P. Saini said Balwa is being ordered released on bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs.5 lakh with two sureties for the like amount.

“Since as many as 10 co-accused have been admitted to bail by the Supreme Court as well as by the high court, and charges against the accused Vinod Goenka (who was given bail by the apex court) and accused Shahid Balwa are almost identical, following the principle of parity I am inclined to admit him bail and he is accordingly admitted to bail on his furnishing a personal bond in the sum of Rs.5 lakh with two sureties in the like amount,” judge Saini said.

CBI had arrested the Mumbai-based realty promoter in February and he has been lodged in Tihar since then.

“If the accused directly or indirectly makes any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him to disclose facts, the CBI would have the liberty to seek appropriate recalling of the order passed by this court,” the court said.

While granting bail to the Mumbai-based realty promoter, the court also said most of the evidence against the petitioner is documentary and there is no prima facie evidence or likelihood which may persuade the court to believe that the petitioner may create conditions which may not be conducive to hold free and fair trial.

The court said: “He would be available at all times to submit to the custody of the court as and when called upon to do so.”

Meanwhile, the court kept the bail application of former telecom minister A. Raja’s then private secretary R.K. Chandolia pending, causing his wife and two daughters to break into tears.