CBI's disproportionate assets case politically-motivated: A. Raja

Terming the CBI's disproportionate assets case against him and the raids at his place as politically-motivated DMK leader and former union telecom minister A. Raja said it was a false case.

Speaking to reporters here on Saturday Raja claimed that the CBI has registered a false case against him and there are differences of opinion between CBI officers in New Delhi and in Chennai.

Raja said the CBI clubbed in his name the assets of his former associate Sadiq Pasha promoter of Green House Promoters. Pasha was found dead in mysterious circumstances in 2011.

On August 19, the CBI said it has registered a disproportionate assets case against Raja and 16 others. The investigating agency also conducted searches in 20 places -six places at Chennai, one at New Delhi, two at Coimbatore, eight at Perambalur, Tamil Nadu and three at Trichy, Tamil Nadu.

The search has led to the recovery of several incriminating documents like financial statements, income tax returns, immovable property documents, bills, vouchers and invoices.

Certain bank accounts and Fixed Deposits in the names of the accused have also been identified, the investigating agency said.

The CBI said the case has been registered against Raja and 16 others including his wife, his relative, close associates and a private company under the Preventition of Corruption Act.

It is alleged during 1999-2010, Raja while serving as a Member of Parliament and union minister had amassed assets and pecuniary resources approximately to the tune of Rs.27.92 crore in his name and in the name of family members, friends and close associates.

According to CBI, cases have been registered against Prameswari, wife of Raja, Paramesh Kumar, relative of Raja, C.Krishnamurthy a close associate of Raja and director in Kovai Shelters Promoters, Green House Promoters Pvt ltd, Reha Banu, wife of Sadiq Basha and other close relatives and associates of Raja.

According to Raja, there seems to be some motive in CBI's decision of include Pasha's assets in his name.

Raja said he had divulged the assets owned by him and it is available online.

He said the CBI which investigated his assets between 2004-2010 while looking into the 2G case had admitted before the court that there are no assets acquired disproportionate to his income.

Raja said the latest case is to harass him.