CBI to appeal against verdict

The CBI on Thursday decided to appeal against the 2G scam verdict, saying the evidence it presented  was not appreciated in a "proper perspective" by the court.

The agency's assertion comes even as the prosecution was castigated by the special CBI court, which said the quality of prosecution "totally deteriorated and it became directionless and diffident".

Within hours of the verdict, which was a setback for the agency in yet another case, the CBI announced its decision to take "necessary legal remedies" in the matter after a prima facie examination of the judgements.

"The judgement relating to the 2G scam has been prima facie examined and it appears that the evidence adduced to substantiate the charges by the prosecution has not been appreciated in its proper perspective by the learned court," a CBI statement said.

Only recently, the CBI had faced flak for its probe into the Aarushi Talwar and Hemraj murders, following which the Allahabad High Court acquitted Aarushi's parents, Rajesh and Nupur Talwar.

The judgement was critical about the prosecution with Justice O P Saini saying it was very difficult in later stages of hearings as to what the prosecution wanted to prove.

"In the beginning, the prosecution started the case with great enthusiasm and ardour. However, as the case progressed, it became highly cautious and guarded in its attitude, making it difficult to find out as to what the prosecution wanted to prove. However, by the end, the quality of the prosecution totally deteriorated and it became directionless and diffident," the court said.

"Not much is required to be written as things are apparent from the perusal of the evidence itself. However, a few instances would suffice to indicate the behaviour of the prosecution," it said.

The court  disapproved  of the reluctance of senior officials of the CBI  and  the prosecutor to sign the applications submitted in the court.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also decided to appeal against the judgement of the special court.

ED officials said the agency would study the order and take a decision soon.