New Delhi:
Former Telecom Minister A Raja arrived at the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office in Delhi on time on Friday morning for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum to certain telecom firms. The interrogation is currently underway. (Read: Who is A Raja? | What is 2G scam?)
Raja was forced to resign last month after the government's auditor said Raja's policies cost the government close to Rs 1.76 lakh crore. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) faulted Raja for undervaluing spectrum to favour companies who were largely ineligible for 2G spectrum.
Raja is likely to be questioned on the issue of preponing dates for allocation of spectrum and on the role of his relatives in some of the companies which allegedly acted as a front for certain telecom firms which got spectrum between September 2007 and January 2008. He flew to Delhi on Wednesday night from Chennai and told reporters that he would cooperate with CBI in the probe. "I will appear before the CBI on December 24 at 10 am. I will appear for interrogation," he said.
Key findings of the CAG report that had indicted the former Telecom Minister:
The Supreme Court has asked the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit status reports on their investigations into the 2G scam to it by February 10, when the case will come up for hearing. The CBI in its FIR had mentioned the loss as Rs 22,000 crore based on the findings of Central Vigilance Commission which had referred the case to it.
Earlier this week, corporate lobbyist Niira Radia was also quizzed by the CBI at her South Delhi farmhouse in connection with the scam. Radia, who was questioned for four hours, came under the scanner after her taped telephonic conversations with various influential people including industrialists, politicians and journalists became public. The CBI also questioned former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chief Pradip Baijal in connection with the case. The premises of Raja, Baijal and Radia were searched by the CBI earlier this month. (With PTI Inputs)
Raja was forced to resign last month after the government's auditor said Raja's policies cost the government close to Rs 1.76 lakh crore. The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) faulted Raja for undervaluing spectrum to favour companies who were largely ineligible for 2G spectrum.
Raja is likely to be questioned on the issue of preponing dates for allocation of spectrum and on the role of his relatives in some of the companies which allegedly acted as a front for certain telecom firms which got spectrum between September 2007 and January 2008. He flew to Delhi on Wednesday night from Chennai and told reporters that he would cooperate with CBI in the probe. "I will appear before the CBI on December 24 at 10 am. I will appear for interrogation," he said.
Key findings of the CAG report that had indicted the former Telecom Minister:
- 2G spectrum allocated to new players at throwaway prices
- Raja ignored advice of PM, finance & law ministries
- Department of Telecom (DoT) process lacked transparency, fairness
- Undue haste in receiving and processing applications
- Violation of 2003 Cabinet decision to allow additional spectrum at 2001 prices
- Undue benefits to RComm, allocated spectrum ahead of others
- Undue advantage given to Swan Telecom in spectrum allocation
- Value of spectrum allocated beyond contracted quantity
- DoT didn't follow its own practice of first come first serve in letter and spirit
The Supreme Court has asked the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit status reports on their investigations into the 2G scam to it by February 10, when the case will come up for hearing. The CBI in its FIR had mentioned the loss as Rs 22,000 crore based on the findings of Central Vigilance Commission which had referred the case to it.
Earlier this week, corporate lobbyist Niira Radia was also quizzed by the CBI at her South Delhi farmhouse in connection with the scam. Radia, who was questioned for four hours, came under the scanner after her taped telephonic conversations with various influential people including industrialists, politicians and journalists became public. The CBI also questioned former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chief Pradip Baijal in connection with the case. The premises of Raja, Baijal and Radia were searched by the CBI earlier this month. (With PTI Inputs)
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