LIVE: All accused acquitted in 2G spectrum scam cases; our stand vindicated, says Congress

New Delhi: In a big relief to Congress and DMK, the Special CBI court on Thursday all acquitted all accused, including former telecom minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and several others, in all 2G spectrum cases. Former PM Manmohan Singh, who has come under severe attack from the BJP, and his party today said verdict has put a ''malicious propaganda'' against them to rest.

The CBI court verdict also triggered massive celebrations in Delhi and Tamil Nadu, where DMK supporters were seen distributing sweets. The verdict in the 2G spectrum allocation case came nearly seven years after the first arrest was made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2011.

Here are the live updates:-

21 December 2017

14:38 IST

14:15 IST

A Raja reaches his residence in Delhi post acquittal in #2GScamVerdict , DMK supporters seen celebrating.

A Raja reaches his residence in Delhi post acquittal in #2GScamVerdict , DMK supporters seen celebrating pic.twitter.com/C5rCiw84Hp

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

14:14 IST

13:29 IST

All the people of the industry who were accused have suffered enough, licenses cancelled, they were also unable to travel abroad: Mukul Rohatgi, former Attorney General

All the people of the industry who were accused have suffered enough, licenses cancelled, they were also unable to travel abroad: Mukul Rohatgi,former Attorney General #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/ljEpIcOwXs

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

13:28 IST

Tamil Nadu: DMK supporters distribute sweets in celebration in Coimbatore after the acquittal of all the accused in 2G scam case verdict by Delhi's Patiala House Court.

Tamil Nadu: DMK supporters distribute sweets in celebration in Coimbatore after the acquittal of all the accused in #2GScamVerdict by Delhi's Patiala House Court. pic.twitter.com/Hnfc6lrfm2

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

13:27 IST

We are very happy that justice has prevailed. It is a big day for the DMK family. It is an answer to all the blames & the problems we faced, says Kanimozhi

We are very happy that justice has prevailed. It is a big day for the DMK family. It is an answer to all the blames & the problems we faced: Kanimozhi after her acquittal #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/pvwuIxfMcj

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

13:26 IST

Each & every case of spectrum allocation was quashed by SC (in 2012) as arbitrary & unfair, the policy was quashed as unfair & intended to cause loss to GoI & the govt was directed to have a fresh policy by which an auction would take place: Arun Jaitley  

13:23 IST

I am sure that the investigative agencies will have a close look at it (the judgement & acquittal of accused) and decide what has to be done: Arun Jaitley

13:23 IST

Congress leaders are treating this judgement as some kind of a badge of honour & a certification that it was an honest policy: Arun Jaitley

13:22 IST

The fact that the policy caused loss is clear form the fact that the subsequent auctions got a much higher price: Arun Jaitley

13:16 IST

The acquittal of all the accused by the special court has brought happiness to us. The verdict further proves that there was no wrong done. All this has been proved: MK Stalin, DMK working president

13:16 IST

We are saying that the PM should come to the house and give a clarification, this govt was formed on the basis that UPA was embroiled in 2G and other scams, but now it has been proved that it was just a scam of lies by the opposition: Kapil Sibal

12:57 IST

12:16 IST

Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan alleges heavy distribution of cash in the constituency, says a report

11:48 IST

If the Government has concrete evidence, then they should take the matter to a higher court: Anna Hazare.

If the Government has concrete evidence, then they should take the matter to a higher court: Anna Hazare #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/wkTmT9JJm3

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:47 IST

Congress leader Kapil Sibal reacts to the 2G spectrum case verdict by the Patiala House court.

Aaj meri baat siddh ho gayi, koi corruption nahi, koi loss nahi. Agar scam hai to jhooth ka scam hai, vipaksh aur Vinod Rai ke jhooth ka. Vinod Rai ko desh ke saamne maafi maangni chahiye: Kapil Sibal,Congress #2Gverdict pic.twitter.com/nHTCTyiziC

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:46 IST

DMK workers celebrate in Coimbatore after Patiala House Court acquitted all in 2G scam cases.

Tamil Nadu: DMK workers celebrate in Coimbatore after Patiala House Court acquitted all in #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/9LttRdjZyV

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:25 IST

Clearly, the Court found that innocent people have been wronged. Justice has worked as it is supposed to work in our country: Shashi Tharoor, Congress. 

Clearly the Court found that innocent people have been wronged. Justice has worked as it is supposed to work in our country: Shashi Tharoor, Congress #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/MK8IEYHVuV

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:25 IST

We are waiting for copy of the judgement. We will take legal opinion on it after that, says CBI. 

We are waiting for copy of the judgement. We will take legal opinion on it after that: CBI #2GScamVerdict

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:21 IST

Congress leader Manish Tiwari attacks former CAG Vinod Rai for allegedly submitting a false and misleading report on 2G spectrum allocation scam.

Mr VINOD RAI Former CAG must Apologise to the nation for throwing presumptive sensational Corrosive numbers into public discourse.He was author of imbecile 1.76 thousand crore loss theory that I had destroyed during my cross examination of Rai in JPC.court has affirmed JPC Report

— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) December 21, 2017

11:20 IST

The CBI should appeal in High Court against acquittals of all 17 accused, including A Raja and Kanimozhi: BJP Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy

11:18 IST

“Like a good lawyer, I will comment only after reading the full verdict,” says A Raja.

11:15 IST

WATCH: Former Telecom Minister A Raja talking to media after being acquitted in the 2G scam cases.

#WATCH: Former Telecom Minister A Raja after being acquitted in the #2GScam pic.twitter.com/hmu8oWOZeD

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:13 IST

First visuals of former Telecom Minister A Raja after being acquitted in the 2G spectrum scam cases.

#Delhi: Former Telecom Minister A Raja after being acquitted in the #2GScam pic.twitter.com/9kHVtApsT1

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:09 IST

DMK supporters marching and celebrating outside Patiala House Court after the pronouncement of 2G scam case verdict.

Delhi: DMK supporters marching and celebrating outside Patiala House Court after the Court's pronouncement of #2GScamVerdict. All accused have been acquitted. pic.twitter.com/LtLzDbyQ2h

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:08 IST

I would love to thank everyone who stood by me: Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP.

I would love to thank everyone who stood by me: Kanimozhi, Rajya Sabha MP #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/3plOl0RlLE

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:07 IST

“There cannot be a bigger indictment of Vinod Rai,” former finance minister P Chidambaram says.

Allegation of a major scam involving the highest levels of Government was never true, was not correct and that has been established today: P Chidambaram,Congress #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/bfVgL14ES9

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:06 IST

Victory begins now. This case was pursued with political motives. Conspiracies were hatched against us but all have been blown away now: Durai Murugan, senior DMK leader.

Victory begins now. With political motives this case was put in us. Conspiracies were hatched against us but all have been blown away now: Durai Murugan, Senior DMK Leader pic.twitter.com/UfWzwmIO5y

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

11:05 IST

The Court said that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove any of its charge. Thus all accused are acquitted: Vijay Aggarwal, Lawyer of Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa, Vinod Goenka and others. 

The Court said that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove any of its charge. Thus all accused are acquitted: Vijay Aggarwal, Lawyer of Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa, Vinod Goenka and others #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/MgWCLKApNE

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

10:59 IST

We stand vindicated, say DMK leaders after the court verdict.

10:57 IST

Celebrations erupt outside the Patiala House Court after the verdict was pronounced.

#Delhi: #Visuals of A Raja; Scenes outside Patiala House Court, all acquitted. #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/TWW2kCJOPT

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

10:54 IST

All accused have been acquitted as CBI failed to produce concrete evidence against all accused, Special CBI court judge OP Saini said.  

10:50 IST

The Special CBI court acquitted all accused, including former telecom minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and several others, in the 2G spectrum case. 

10:39 IST

Security tightened outside the Patiala House Court in view of the 2G scam case verdict.

10:38 IST

If convicted, A Raja, the former telecom minister, faces six-month jail to life imprisonment.  

10:37 IST

''We have submitted all the papers. We will wait for the verdict. I can't comment now,” A Raja said before reaching the court.  

10:29 IST

Minor scuffle reported between the security personnel and the DMK supporters outside the Patiala House Court.

10:28 IST

Kanimozhi's mother Rajathi Ammal and husband G Aravindaan and other DMK leaders are also present at the special court.

10:27 IST

A large number of DMK supporters are also present outside the court.

10:25 IST

Kanimozhi’s half-brother MK Alagiri is also present in the court.

10:19 IST

A Raja and Kanimozhi have reached court.

Delhi: Former Telecom Minister A Raja arrives at Patiala House Court for #2GScamVerdict pic.twitter.com/weXfgfSeGJ

— ANI (@ANI) December 21, 2017

10:18 IST

Raja was released on bail after spending nearly a year in jail.

10:17 IST

He was accused of cheating, forgery and conspiracy. The CBI chargesheet also said he misled then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The trial started soon after.

10:14 IST

A Raja has denied any wrongdoing. He has claimed that all decisions were taken after apprising then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and were based on inputs from DoT, other Cabinet Ministers and the then Solicitor General.  

10:13 IST

The special CBI court, had directed all accused, including Raja, Kanimozhi and others, to remain present before it today for the verdict.

10:13 IST

Two cases have been filed by the CBI and another one by the ED.

10:13 IST

Special CBI judge OP Saini is scheduled to pronounce the judgements in separate cases lodged by the CBI and the ED in the scam which rattled the former prime minister Manmohan Singh-led UPA government.

10:12 IST

The CAG report said in 2007-2008, the 2G licences had been given to telecom operators at throwaway prices instead of allocation through a free and fair bidding process.  

10:10 IST

The CAG report said in 2007-2008, the 2G licences had been given to telecom operators at throwaway prices instead of allocation through a free and fair bidding process.  

10:10 IST

The scam relates to the granting of 2G spectrum licence allocations in 2007-08 which caused the loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

10:09 IST

The verdict comes nearly seven years after the first arrest was made by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2011

10:09 IST

-The verdict will decide that fate of former telecom minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and several others accused in the case

10:07 IST

A special CBI court will pronounce the verdict in several cases related to the alleged faulty allocation of the 2G spectrum licences during the previous UPA government led by Dr Manmohan Singh.