Lawyer: "Raju did not commit any fraud"

Ever since Satyam scandal broke out, there is one person that the media has been constantly hunting for inputs: S Bharat Kumar, the city-based lawyer. His phones have not stopped ringing since then

S Bharat Kumar (48) is a low profile advocate who has dealt with high profile cases. By taking up former Satyam chairman B Ramalinga Raju's case, he has shot into international limelight.

Bharat started his career as an apprentice with famous lawyer K G Kannabiran. He was active with the "Indian Express" daily as a columnist for 10 years on legal matters and court cases. Some of the important cases handled by him were the Pulicat lake case defending the environmentalists and a case against Al-kabeer. He was also with Fenoplast, Tatas and other corporates fighting cases for them.

Anything pertaining to Satyam or Rajus is now routed through Bharat. However, he still keeps a low profile and agreed for this exclusive interview to Deccan Post after much persuasion. Answering the calls from an undisclosed location, Bharat spoke slowly, measuring each word with caution.

Why did you accept Ramalinga Raju's case?
I feel it is an honour to be the defence counsel for Ramalinga Raju. He is a great philanthropist and a person who is responsible for the overall economic development in the state. Working for him is a great opportunity. It is a life-time opportunity.

It seems the funds from Satyam are siphoned off and diverted to Maytas Infra and inflated profits were shown from time to time?
No comments. I cannot speak or disclose anything which will hamper the case proceedings and affect the interests of my client.

What is your understanding of the case?
First of all I don't agree that Raju is involved in misappropriation of funds. I have come across hundreds of people, they are calling me all the time, none of them agrees or believes that Raju is involved in this issue. No one believes this. Raju did not commit any fraud. The people have been fed with speculative stories depicting the issue as an embezzlement, and siphoning of funds. If all the allegations made against him are taken at the face value, at the best they can constitute a case of falsification of accounts. Even that cannot be sustained against him.

Will Raju get bail?
Of course, Yes.Yes.

Is it true that a battery of 25 advocates have come forward to argue the case for Raju?
There is a group of 25 advocates who are working on various aspects of this case. See I cannot disclose to you everything. Some kind of legal research is also involved in this case. Since several dimensions are involved to this case we require specialised efforts from different advocates and they formed a group for the defence of Raju. It also touches several aspects of company law, Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act etc. The litigations are going to be multifold. So a big group is required to deal with these cases.

What do you foresee for Raju?
I have no comments to make. But as far as bail is concerned, Raju has a fair chance of getting bail.

Raju agreed that he has fudged the accounts?
I cannot comment on that. If I have to answer this and elaborate on this, it will harm the defence of my client.

But Raju has given it in writing?
It is a statement of facts as they exist in Satyam. More than that, I cannot offer any further details. Please..

Will Satyam sustain this onslaught?
I do not know about the future of Satyam. I am not fighting for Satyam or Maytas. I am defending Raju. I am representing Ramalinga Raju. I have nothing to do with the companies. As far as I know, Maytas is nowhere related to Satyam issue.