2G scam: CBI names Raja, aides in charge-sheet

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed the first charge-sheet in the 2G Spectrum allocation scam against former Telecom minister A Raja, few of his close aides and some real estate companies.

They have been charged with defrauding the exchequer and entering into a criminal conspiracy for securing telecom licenses, first reports said.

The second set of charge-sheet is likely to be filed later this month.

The 8000-page first set of charge-sheet was filed at the expiry of the granted time till Apr 2 by the Supreme Court to file its indictment over the case.

The extent of loss to the exchequer in absolute terms is not likely to be included in the charge-sheet as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is yet to complete the process of ascertaining the loss.

Besides Raja, the CBI charge-sheet reportedly names senior executives at real estate giant Unitech and the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG).

Two companies ? Swan and Unitech ? have been so far accused by the CBI of being the biggest beneficiaries of Raja’s swindle.

Those arrested in the case include Raja, his personal aide R K Chandolia, former Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura and Shahid Usman Balwa.

All are in judicial custody now.

The SC, which is directly monitoring the 2G scam probe, had asked the CBI to speedily file indictment in the case.

In perhaps the biggest scam in Independent India, allegedly masterminded by ex-minister A Raja, telecoms spectrum was given away at throwaway prices in 2008 causing a potential revenue loss of up to Rs 1.76 crore.