Satyam case: SC pulls up CBI for filing bulky chargesheet

Satyam case: SC pulls up CBI for filing bulky chargesheet

B Ramalinga Raju, founder chairman of the scam-hit Satyam computers, has attempted to influence witnesses, CBI on Tuesday alleged before the Supreme Court, which pulled up the agency for filing a bulky chargesheet in the over Rs 10,000 crore scam case.

CBI, which commenced the arguments on its petition seeking cancellation of the bail granted to Raju by the Andhra Pradesh High Court, said he "misused" the bail by meeting one of the witnesses in the case and tried to "influence" him.

However, a Bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma, expressed its displeasure that the agency filed a chargsheet in case running into over 10,000 pages and naming more than 250 witnesses.

"Instead of relying on quantity of materials, you should have concentrated on the quality of evidence and witnesses. Number of the witness does not matter, what matters is the quality of witnesses. Courts has also to maitain balance of interest of both prosecution and liberty of accused. If we have to examine so many witnesses then there would a reasonable impression that the trial is not going to complete in reasonable time," the bench said when Additional Solicitor General Harin Raval was making submission for CBI.

Raval also raised doubts over the heath condition of Raju, who was granted bail in August.

"Even in the hospital, he was meeting with many peoples," he said.

He further submitted that CBI received complaints from the official of one of the company, who is a witness in the case that Raju approached its staff after getting bail.

On being asked by the bench over delay in starting trial, Raval said, "he (Raju) was constantly obstructing the course of proceedings so there was a delay in prosecution."

He further informed the apex court that a special court has been created by the Andhra Pradesh government for the trial in November, 2009 and a judge has been appointed in February 25 this year.

The Apex Court was hearing CBI's appeal against order of the High Court granting bail to Raju and his brother Rama Raju, and employees of the IT firm Srinivas, Ramakrishna, Venkatapathi and Srisailam in connection with the fraud.

The court would continue its hearing on Wednesday.