2G case: Shahid Balwa granted bail

Applying the "principle of parity" by taking cue from the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court's order providing relief to 10 other 2G spectrum scam accused, the special CBI court on Tuesday granted bail to DB Realty promoter Shahid Usman Balwa. Special judge OP Saini granted bail to Balwa on a personal bond of R5lakh with two sureties of the like amount.

Arrested on February 8, 2011, Balwa has already spent 289 days in jail.

The CBI alleges that it has found a trail of Rs 214 crore routed by Balwa in conspiracy with former telecom minister and main accused A Raja to DMK-owned Kalaignar TV as a quid pro quo for 2G spectrum licence to the ineligible Swan Telecom (DB Realty) of which Balwa was a promoter.

While the five accused corporate executives were granted bail by Supreme Court on November 23, DMK MP Kanimozhi and four other accused were granted bail by the high court on Monday.

"Since as many as 10 co-accused have been granted bail by the Supreme Court as well as the high court and the charges against accused Vinod Goenka and applicant/accused Shahid Usman Balwa are almost identical, following the principle of parity, I am inclined to admit him to bail and he is accordingly admitted to bail," judge Saini said.

Meanwhile, former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura urged Delhi HC to release him on bail on grounds of parity. He along with former telecom minister A Raja and another telecom secretary R K Chandolia are the three left in jail.