Shahid Balwa denied bail by Delhi court

A Delhi court today rejected the bail pleas of former telecom minister A Raja's personal secretary R K Chandolia and Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa arrested in the 2G spectrum case, saying they can tamper with evidence and influence witnesses if let out.

The court said while one of the accused was a public official, the other was a businessman having potential to influence the witnesses.

"There is no doubt that R K Chandolia is a high ranking public servant and accused Balwa is also an influential businessman.

"Accordingly, I find a merit in the submission of Special Public Prosecutor for CBI that if these accused are released on bail, they may tamper with evidence or witnesses may not come forward to give statements, more so when no one came forward to complain against their illegal acts," Special CBI Judge O P Saini said.

Chandolia was arrested along with Raja by the CBI on February 2 while Balwa was taken into custody on February 8.