2G: Shahid Balwa steps back from deposing as defence witness
11 Sept 2014 4:55 AM IST
Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa on Tuesday stepped back from deposing as a witness to defend himself in the ongoing 2G spectrum allocation scam case trial before a special court, saying he does not wish to examine himself. Balwa, who is facing trial in the case along with former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and several other accused, had earlier filed an application in the court seeking its permission to examine himself as a witness in his defence.
The court had allowed Balwa’s plea and his deposition was scheduled to be recorded on Tuesday.
However, as soon as the proceedings started on Tuesday, Balwa told Special CBI Judge O P Saini that he does not want to examine himself as a witness. ‘Only accused Shahid Usman Balwa remains to be examined, who had given an application in writing that he may be permitted to examine himself as a witness in his own defence. No other defence witness remains to be examined.
‘However, he (Balwa) submits that he does not wish to examine himself as witness in his own defence and his defence evidence may be deemed to have been closed. His statement recorded separately. His defence evidence stands closed,’ the judge said.
The court had allowed Balwa’s plea and his deposition was scheduled to be recorded on Tuesday.
However, as soon as the proceedings started on Tuesday, Balwa told Special CBI Judge O P Saini that he does not want to examine himself as a witness. ‘Only accused Shahid Usman Balwa remains to be examined, who had given an application in writing that he may be permitted to examine himself as a witness in his own defence. No other defence witness remains to be examined.
‘However, he (Balwa) submits that he does not wish to examine himself as witness in his own defence and his defence evidence may be deemed to have been closed. His statement recorded separately. His defence evidence stands closed,’ the judge said.
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