New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Telecom Minister A Raja giving him ten days to respond to allegations that he cost the government Rs 70,000 crore by mishandling the allocation of 2G spectrum to telecom operators.
The court's action is based on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Raja is the only individual named in the petition - the singularity will further embarrass the government which has been attacked repeatedly by the Opposition over the 2G scam and Raja's alleged role in it. Raja's party, the DMK, is a crucial ally of the UPA government.
In 2008, 2G or second-generation mobile technology was awarded to 122 operators for 1,600 crore - an amount that has been described by experts and the Opposition as laughable. Raja's decision to skip an auction process has been questioned. Some of those who were awarded licenses resold them for 5-6 times the amount.
While the notice to the minister on the PIL is a technicality, what tinges today's developments with a new shade of gravity is the court's fury with the CBI, which is investigating the case. The court asked why the CBI's FIR is against "unknown people."
"CBI doesn't know that DoT officials are involved?" asked the court.
In the past, the government, including the PM, have stressed that both the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Telecom Commission had approved the policy on 2G auctions. While the court's stand will give the Opposition in Delhi new ammunition against Raja, it's also likely to cause trouble for the DMK in Tamil Nadu, which votes early next year.
The court's action is based on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). Raja is the only individual named in the petition - the singularity will further embarrass the government which has been attacked repeatedly by the Opposition over the 2G scam and Raja's alleged role in it. Raja's party, the DMK, is a crucial ally of the UPA government.
In 2008, 2G or second-generation mobile technology was awarded to 122 operators for 1,600 crore - an amount that has been described by experts and the Opposition as laughable. Raja's decision to skip an auction process has been questioned. Some of those who were awarded licenses resold them for 5-6 times the amount.
While the notice to the minister on the PIL is a technicality, what tinges today's developments with a new shade of gravity is the court's fury with the CBI, which is investigating the case. The court asked why the CBI's FIR is against "unknown people."
"CBI doesn't know that DoT officials are involved?" asked the court.
In the past, the government, including the PM, have stressed that both the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Telecom Commission had approved the policy on 2G auctions. While the court's stand will give the Opposition in Delhi new ammunition against Raja, it's also likely to cause trouble for the DMK in Tamil Nadu, which votes early next year.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
