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Suspended Indian Economic Services officer Mr R. K. Chandolia, who functioned as the Private Secretary of Mr A. Raja, when he was Telecom Minister, told a special CBI court that he was only a “sophisticated helper” assisting the Minister carry out his duty.
“A. Raja was the Minister and my master. I merely carried out his instructions. I was his sophisticated helper. Can I question my master? How can an assisting staff be roped in by the CBI? All the top bureaucrats have been made witnesses. Where does it show that I am a decision-making authority? I should be made a witness,” Mr Chandolia's counsel, Mr Vijay Aggarwal, said.
Counsel also submitted the July 4, 2011 judgment of the TDSAT (Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal), that the policy decision of January 10, 2008, to issue licences to those that complied with the Letter of Intent conditions “cannot be questioned”.
“The policy decision of January 10, 2008, even otherwise is not invalid in law. The Central Government cannot be said to have committed any error in giving effect to its own policy decision…” Mr Chandolia alleged that key prosecution witness, Mr Raja's former Additional Private Secretary, Mr Aseervatham Achary, who had joined the politician's service when he was a Union Minister of State in 1999 was let off, while he (Chandolia) joined Mr Raja in 2005 when Mr Raja became Environment Minister.
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