New Delhi, Nov 16 (IANS): The Delhi High Court Wednesday issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking a reply by Dec 1 on the bail plea of former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

Issuing notice to the CBI, Justice V.K. Shali asked the probe agency to file a status report by Dec 1.

Behura appealed before the court, challenging denial of bail to him by CBI special Judge O.P. Saini who had refused him relief saying the charges against him and other accused were of "very serious nature".

Behura's counsel Aman Lekhi said trial in the case has already started and there cannot be any fear of tampering of evidence or influencing witnesses by him, so he should be allowed bail.

He also said the apex court earlier, while refusing bail to Kanimozhi, had asked the accused to approach the court for bail after charges were framed in the case.

The trial court had dismissed Behura's bail plea Nov 3.

Behura, along with former communications minister A. Raja and the latter's private secretary R.K. Chandolia, was arrested Feb 2 this year.

CBI will also Dec 1 respond to the bail pleas of DMK MP Kanimozhi and four other accused in the case following an earlier Delhi High Court notice of Nov 9. They are Kalaignar TV chief Sharad Kumar, Cineyug Films' Karim Morani and Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd directors Asif Balwa and Rajiv B. Agarwal.

Behura and the five others face charges ranging from criminal breach of trust, corruption, criminal conspiracy, falsification of documents to cheating and abetment to crime.

The CBI has arrested 14 people, including former telecom minister A. Raja, who had to quit after allegations against him. All 14 have pleaded not guilty.