Chandolia asked to stop applications after Unitech: 2G Witness

Deposing before the court as a CBI witness, Srivastava, who retired as deputy director general (DDG) (Access Service) from Department of Telecom (DoT), said on September 24, 2007, Chandolia had told him that Unitech's applications will be submitted to the department on that day itself.

"On September 24, 2007, when about 167 applications were already received, R K Chandolia asked me whether applications of Unitech group have been received. I enquired from dealing section and replied back to him that applications of Unitech group have not been received in the section till then.

"He (Chandolia) told me that applications of Unitech group will be submitted to DoT today and thereafter, I should stop receiving further Unified Access Services Licence (UASL) applications," Srivastava told Special CBI Judge O P Saini.

Srivastava's testimony assumes significance as the CBI, in its charge sheet, had said that in pursuance of a conspiracy to favour telecom firms, Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd and Swan Telecom, Raja had decided to accept applications filed with DoT till September 25, 2007 only.

Raja and Chandolia, along with others, are facing trial in the 2G case. Three telecom firms -- Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd, Swan Telecom and Reliance Telecom Ltd are also an accused in the case. (More)