New Delhi:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today summoned Sanjay Chandra of Unitech for questioning in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
This comes a week after the arrest of Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Balwa.
The CBI also has summoned top officials of telecom companies that got 2G licenses. The CBI has called officials of Tata Realty, Loop and Unitech for questioning in the case.
CBI on Monday went to the court with new charges against the 10 private players that were favoured by former telecom minister A Raja for 2G licences.
While these players already face charges of conspiracy and influencing a public servant, new charges of cheating and forgery have now been pressed against them.
The CBI says private players misled the government and produced false documents to claim licenses.
The CBI says that in 2008, when the government was allocating 2G spectrum for mobile phone networks, A Raja and his aides, twisted the rules to benefit a few companies - especially Swan and Unitech.
The licenses for 2G spectrum were not auctioned, as many say they should have been. Mr. Raja chose to follow a first-come-first-serve policy which was set by his predecessors.
But the CBI's case is based on his office advancing the deadline for payments and informing only some of the players. Companies like Swan and Unitech seemed to have been tipped off, because despite the cut-off date being brought forward, they had their payments ready.
After winning their licenses, Swan and Unitech sold equity to foreign companies much before they began the rollout of their services. The giant profits they made seemed to underscore the point that spectrum had been sold far too cheaply by the government. Swan paid 1537 crores and sold 45% stake to Etisalat for a profit of 4, 730 crores. Unitech paid for Rs. 1661 crores for its license, and sold 60% stake to Telenor for Rs. 6200 cr. Together, these two players cost the government 7, 195 crores, according to the CBI.
Both Swan and Unitech have denied these allegations.
In a statement today, Mr Sanjay Chandra reiterated they have nothing to hide.
"In continuation of the ongoing investigations, I am here today to personally clarify certain issues raised by the CBI. With respect to the investigations by the CBI, pursuant to the honorable Supreme Court, all the 9 telecom companies, who received the licenses, are being questioned by the agencies and it is not specific to any one company. Unitech Ltd is a responsible corporate, functioning within the guidelines prescribed by the sovereign government and abiding by the law of the land and has been fully co-operating with the investigating agency. Unitech has co-operated with all investigating agencies from the very beginning, as we have nothing to hide. Our officers have provided all records for examination and clarified all issues raised by them from time to time. Going forward, we will continue to assist in the same spirit."