Kanimozhi allowed to attend budget session

NEW DELHI, INDIA: A CBI special court here on Monday allowed Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, an accused in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, to attend the budget session of parliament which began earlier in the day.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O.P. Saini allowed Kanimozhi's application for exemption from personal appearance in court but told her lawyer to remain present during the trial.

The cross examination of prosecution witness and Mumbai Deputy Registrar of Companies Rajender Singh Meena was conducted during the proceedings. It will continue on Tuesday.

According to the government auditor, the 2G scam, allegedly masterminded by jailed former communications minister A. Raja, pertained to a biased distribution of mobile airwaves and operating licences, in lieu of kickbacks, to telecom firms.

Nineteen individuals and six companies are accused in the case.