New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday extended the interim bail granted to former telecom minister Sukh Ram and two others who have been convicted for their alleged involvement in a telecom scam.
The apex court bench of Justice P. Sathasivam and Justice J. Chelameswar said it wanted to consider the plea of Sukh Ram, 84, on the grounds of his age and health as he and other two accused were awarded sentences of three years and two years respectively.
Besides Sukh Ram, the other two convicted and sentenced by the trial court are then director of the department of telecom Rumu Ghosh and Hyderabad-based businessman P. Rama Rao.
The case will come up for final hearing on Aug 7, 2012.
The conviction and sentencing of the three was upheld by the Delhi High Court by its order of Dec 21, 2011.
The three were granted interim bail by the apex court Jan 9, 2012.
Sukh Ram is accused of showing undue favour to the Hyderabad based cable supply company and accepting Rs.300,000 as bribe when he was a minister.
In 2002, he was handed down a three-year jail term under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
In another case, he was held guilty of possessing disproportionate assets worth Rs.4.25 crore in 2009.
IANS