Indian court rules against prosecuting powerful government minister in telecoms scandal The USA Times

Watch it, Lady Gaga: Singer's comment about buying fake Rolex sparks backlash in Thailand . Freely choosing their leader, Egyptians vote on 2nd day of presidential election . Beset by years of woes as they pick a new leader, Egyptians search for a superman . Nuclear talks resume amid contrasting bids by West and Iran . Dynamic Turkey clings to a beloved stick figure icon - symbol of less hurried times . South Korea to chemically castrate serial sex offender in country's 1st use of punishment . New Zealand raises tobacco taxes sharply, aiming to become smoke-free country . US National Hurricane Center says Bud has developed into a hurricane off coast of SW Mexico. . SKorea to chemically castrate serial child sex offender for 1st time . Syrian oil minister says sanctions have sucked $4 billion out of economy .

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Indian court rules against prosecuting powerful government minister in telecoms scandal

NEW DELHI - An Indian court has ruled that a powerful minister will not have to stand trial in a multibillion-dollar telecommunications scandal, giving the beleaguered government a reprieve.

Judge O.P. Saini on Saturday dismissed opposition politician Subramanian Swamy's request that Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram face prosecution in the scandal.

The scandal stems from the 2008 sale of cellular operating licenses, which resulted in losses of nearly $36 billion in potential government revenue.

Former telecommunications minister Andimuthu Raja is among 17 defendants who are on trial in the case. Raja, who was forced to resign last year amid the scandal, denies allegations that he abused his position.