Ghosh files bail application in spectrum allocation case

Former telecom secretary Shyamal Ghosh, accused in a case related to grant of additional spectrum to private operators, filed his bail application in a special court here Wednesday, which fixed Feb 3 for further hearing.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O.P. Saini posted the matter for hearing bail application of Ghosh for Feb 3.

The CBI filed a charge sheet Dec 21, 2012, accusing Ghosh and three telecom firms, Bharti Cellular Ltd., Hutchison Max Telecom Pvt. Ltd. (Vodafone India Ltd.), and Sterling Cellular Ltd. (Vodafone Mobile Service Ltd.)

The case relates to the department of telecommunications (DoT), allocating additional spectrum in a decision taken Jan 31, 2002, when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power, allegedly resulting in a loss of Rs.846 crore to the exchequer.

Although the CBI did not name Bharti Cellular CMD Sunil Mittal and Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia, as accused, the special court issued summons to them.

The Supreme Court has quashed the order of the 2G special court summoning Mittal and Ruia as accused in the case.