Raja jumps for joy, others hug and kiss....All acquitted in 2G ‘No-Scam’.

Imran Ahmed Siddiqui, TT, Dec 21, 2017, New Delhi: Former telecom minister A. Raja jumped for joy and hugged his wife Parameshwari while DMK parliamentarian Kanimozhi broke down, bowed before the judge and gave other high-profile acquits in the 2G case a thumbs-up with both hands.

The wives of the five telecom bosses cheered, clapped and hugged each other as judge O.P Saini looked on.

Inside the jam-packed courtroom, loud celebrations broke out at 10.30am as soon as the judge pronounced that all the accused stood acquitted. "I have absolutely no hesitation in holding that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove any of the charges against any of the accused. All are acquitted," Judge Saini ruled.

A moist-eyed Kanimozhi choked on her words, looked at the judge and mumbled "thank you".

Nearly 20 DMK supporters cheered and greeted the verdict while several others tried to get close to Raja. The pandemonium and noisy celebrations angered the judge, who instructed everyone to vacate the courtroom immediately. "Go out of the courtroom," Judge Saini said before leaving with a smile.

Supporters of Kanimozhi and Raja outside the court.Pic: Prem Singh and Imran Ahmed Siddiqui

But the wives and other family members continued celebrating: they punched the air, held their hands to their hearts and blew kisses.

"This is a big day for all of us and it calls for a big celebration. God has been very kind," said Aseela, the wife of Vinod Goenka, a director of Swan Telecom.

DMK MP Kanimozhi celebrates outside the CBI court after the verdict

Recalling the "terrible" days when their husbands had spent months in Tihar jail, the wives of the telecom bosses acquitted in the 2G case expressed relief on Thursday.

One of them recalled how they stood by their husbands in the difficult times and brought lunch for them everyday during court proceedings. They also spoke about how they shuttled between the courtroom and Tihar jail, where their husbands shared space with petty criminals.

"Those were nightmares and we cannot forget the terrible phase in this lifetime. We are very happy now," said the wife of Sanjay Chandra, the Unitech managing director.

Some of them were heard discussing Europe holiday plans with their husbands and kids to celebrate the verdict. One of them said the family would have a big celebration at a five-star hotel in Delhi on Thursday night.

Karim Morani (in black shirt) with wife Zahra (extreme left) and daughters Zoya (extreme right) and Roza outside the court

Other than Swan Telecom director Goenka and Unitech's Chandra, the other telecom big shots who were acquitted were three Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group officials: senior vice-president Hari Nair, group managing director Gautam Doshi and group president Surendra Pipara.#The wife and the two daughters of Karim Morani, Bollywood film producer and event organiser, celebrated and hugged each other.

"It's a very special day for us. We are thankful to God," said Morani's daughter Zoa, who made her debut as an actress in 2011 in Always Kabhi Kabhi.

Aseela, wife of Swan Telecom director Vinod Goenka 

Morani has business ties with Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa. The two run Cineyug, the event organiser. According to the CBI chargesheet in the 2G scam, Morani had helped transfer bribe money of Rs 200 crore to the DMK-run Kalaignar TV through his company in return for spectrum licence favours.

Outside the courtroom, DMK supporters clapped, cheered and hugged.

Around 150 DMK supporters, most of them from Raja's native district Perambalur and dressed in white shirts and carrying their leader's photo in their pockets, danced and distributed sweets.

Later, they burst firecrackers outside the court complex and showered flowers on Raja and Kanimozhi when they stepped out.

"Raja had been framed as he is a Dalit," said Abdulla, a DMK supporter.