2G case: Threat theory not planned, says A Raja's former aide

An ex-aide of A Raja and a key witness in the 2G case on Friday refuted the former minister's allegation in a Delhi court that the theory of threat to him and his family was "planned" in "collusion" with the CBI.

Aseervatham Achary, former additional private secretary of Raja, who had on Thursday created a flutter by alleging that he was threatened by a man present in the court room, denied the allegation that he wanted to "adversely impact" accused RK Chandolia's bail plea.

"I am not aware if bail application of some of the accused is coming up for hearing in the Supreme Court on January 2, 2012. It is incorrect to suggest that I expressed my apprehension of breach of my security to adversely impact that application.

"It is incorrect to suggest that yesterday's incident was planned by me in collusion with the investigating agency," Achary told special CBI judge OP Saini.

Testifying as seventh prosecution witness in the 2G case, Achary answered a query raised by Raja's counsel Sushil Kumar as to why he had not informed the court about threat earlier, saying he thought that CBI was "taking care" of it as he had already informed the agency about it on September 5.

Kumar had asked Achary as to why he had not informed the judge about the alleged incident of August 20, when a man tried to meet him at his residence on pretext of being his relative, despite the fact that he had appeared in the court several times since December 13.

"On December 13, when I appeared before this court, I was not aware that I could tell this court about the incident dated August 20, 2011. I thought I would get this liberty only when I would be examined as witness," he said.

Achary said he disclosed the incident on Friday before the court as he was "shocked and surprised" when his security officer pointed out that the person, who had tried to meet him at his residence on August 20, was present in the courtroom.

"I did not disclose this fact to the court on December 19, when my examination started, as I thought CBI was taking care of that. I did not tell this court about this incident on December 20 and 21 during the days of my cross examination...

"In the morning yesterday, when my PSO pointed out that the person was sitting with RK Chandolia, I was surprised and shocked by that and decided to disclose about that."

He said that he had perceived about threat in April-May, soon after he had recorded his statement to the CBI as a witness in the case, and had approached Union home secretary for being provided with security.

"I was provided PSO by the police in April-May 2011. I cannot say if there was a threat or not to my life before I was provided the PSO. I applied to the Union home secretary for being provided with security in April-May 2011...

"I had a perception of threat, but no specific incident warranting any action had occurred before I was provided with the security or thereafter till August 20," he said, adding, he had informed the CBI about the incident on the basis of the version of his PSO.