Jethmalani mobbed by lawyers for autographs

HYDERABAD: The Central Bureau of Investigation did not provide a copy of the charge sheet to his client Koneru Prasad, the key accused in the Emaar Properties-APIIC scam case, because it had not stated facts in the charge sheet, Supreme Court lawyer Ram Jethmalani told the special CBI court here on Monday.With CBI's deputy legal advisor B Ravindranath seeking time for further arguments on Prasad's bail petition,  magistrate Naga Maruthi Sharma posted further hearing to February 17. Then Jethmalani asked the magistrate for  a copy of the charge sheet to enable him to prepare for further arguments. He vented anger on CBI officials when they refused to give a copy without the court's cognizance. Jethmalani replied that a few TV channels were airing news bulletins showing the charge sheet. “How did they (media) obtain the copy? Why is the CBI refusing to give a copy to the accused? It has failed to furnish facts in the charge sheet,'' he said.Earlier, citing judgements in the 2G and other cases in which accused were granted bail by the Supreme Court,  he argued   that Prasad was eligible for bail. “The investigation agency can probe the case even after the court grants bail to the accused. Prasad will not flee the country and he will abide by the court's directions. He will not tamper with the evidence or hamper witnesses in connection with the case,'' he said. Prasad was present in the court during the arguments. With Ram Jethmalani visiting the Nampally court for the first time, a number of practising advocates mobbed him as he came out of the court hall. The eminent lawyer spent half an hour giving autographs to the advocates.