Indian Minister Escapes Trial In Telecoms Scandal

NEW DELHI (AP) — 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.