Unitech, RCom get CBI reprieve in 2G spectrum scam case

A Delhi court will decide on September 15 whether to put former telecom minister

A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and 15 others on trial for their alleged role in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

CBI counsel U U Lalit, while presenting his rebuttal, agreed with some of the arguments made by the defence lawyers of Reliance Communications (ADAG group) and Unitech recently. Referring to Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair, the three top executives of the Reliance ADAG group, Lalit told the court that they may not have been directly involved (in the 2G scam).

However, he argued that these officials did help in setting up an ineligible company—Swan. Doshi, Pipara and Nair have been in judicial custody for many months now over their alleged role in the scam.

As for Unitech, Lalit agreed with the company that there was no case of quid pro quo against it. “We are conscious that so far as Unitech is concerned, we have found nothing to show any money trail against them. There is no quid pro quo as far as money exchanging hands is concerned in relation to Unitech,” Lalit told CBI judge O P Saini. Managing director of Unitech Sanjay Chandra is also in judicial custody for the 2G scam.

Lalit added that it does not clear them (Unitech or ADAG) of all criminal conspiracy. “Swan Telecom and Unitech got the telecom licences despite their complete ineligibility to get the same. Both the companies off-loaded their shares soon after getting the licences and garnered around Rs 7,300 crore in the process,” Lalit said.

The Delhi Court said that it would pronounce the order on former telecom minister A Raja along with all the other accused on September 15. The court will not have any hearing related to the case till then. The accused will not be required to be present in the court till the date of the order.

Besides, Saini asked DMK MP Kanimozhi's lawyer to give written submissions on his arguments that Rajya Sabha's sanction was not sought for her prosecution. CBI's stand on the matter was that Kanimozhi did not abuse her position as an MP but acted as a conspirator as a private person and hence sanction for prosecution was not required. Reliance Communications share price rose 6.1 per cent on Monday on BSE to touch Rs 76.65, while that of Unitech went up by 5.77 per cent to reach Rs 26.60.