CBI chargesheet names Raja, telcos, executives

Next chargesheet in the 2G spectrum allocation probe likely on April 25.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today filed a chargesheet against nine people and three companies accused in the so-called 2G scam, which involves allocation of spectrum to companies at throwaway prices.

Other than former communications minister A Raja, who lost his job in the aftermath of the scandal’s outbreak and is now in judicial custody, the accused include former telecom secretary Sidhartha Behura, and R K Chandolia, who was private secretary to Raja during his ministership.

Two Mumbai-based telecom companies and a third based in Gurgaon are there in the chargesheet. A handful of private sector executives, too, are there: Two directors of a Mumbai-based company, the managing director of a Gurgaon-based real estate company and group managing director and two senior vice-presidents of a Mumbai-based telecom company.

In a statement issued in the evening, a spokesperson for Mumbai-based Reliance Telecom today said the following had been named for “certain alleged offences” by the CBI: Reliance Telecom Ltd, Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair.

Gurgaon-based Uninor (Unitech Wireless) said in its statement: “Several telecom companies, which received licences/spectrum since 2001 are being investigated by the CBI. We understand that the CBI has named Uninor (Unitech Wireless) and its chairman in the first chargesheet filed today. Since we have not received a copy of the chargesheet, we are not aware of the charges made and, therefore, cannot comment.” The company emphasised that it had not, nor had any of its executives, done anything inappropriate or illegal.

Mumbai-based DB Realty, which has been in the eye of the 2G storm and whose promoter Shahid Balwa is in jail, said: “We are awaiting the details of the charges made in the chargesheet. We will be able to respond only after that.”

Today’s chargesheet was filed in the court of the special judge for CBI Cases, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi. “The findings are based on the investigation done by the CBI and evidence collected by it,” CBI said in a press release. It is expected to file a supplementary chargesheet by April 25. This may dwell on the issue of kickbacks.