The CBI questioned former telecom minister A. Raja for the second consecutive day on Saturday in connection with its probe into the 2G spectrum scam. The CBI officials grilled Mr Raja for nearly seven hours at the agency headquarters.
According to sources, the CBI is likely to make some “significant arrests” in connection with its probe in a day or two. The CBI, which is likely to register more FIRs in connection with the allotment of spectrum licences, may also start questioning of the predecessors of Mr Raja very soon.
The agency had earlier registered a case against unknown officials of the department of telecommunication (DoT) and unknown private persons, companies and others under different sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities in the allotment of 2G spectrum licences.
The CBI officials reportedly asked Mr Raja on the issue of advancing dates for allocation of spectrum licences and also the role of his relatives in some of the companies which allegedly acted as a front for certain telecom firms which were allotted spectrum between September 2007 and January 2008.
He was also questioned about the alleged favour given by the DoT to three telecom companies in allowing the use of GSM technology for the first time for grant of unified access service (UAS) licences while processing the 2G spectrum issue. The DoT on October 17, 2007 had permitted the use of alternative GSM technology for UAS licences. Three major companies which had applied for the same were even conveyed about the decision on October 18 itself telling them that their demand has been accepted ‘in principal’, while the decision was made public only on October 19, 2007, sources added. Sources further said officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) were also present during Mr Raja’s questioning on Saturday.
Sources further said, “Raja was specifically asked about the reasons for ignoring the letter of the member (technology) of telecom commission sent in 2007. The member (technology) of the Telecom Commission had sent a letter to secretary department of legal affairs on October 26, 2007 for legal opinion on 2G licences. Why not legal opinion was taken by the DoT over the issue, Raja was asked to explain.”
Mr Raja was also asked question about his sudden decision to defer the scheduled meeting of the Telecom Commission on January 7, 2008. “On January 3, 2008 a meeting of full telecom commission was fixed for January 9 to discuss the spectrum fee and performance of telecom sector. But on January 7, 2008 the scheduled meeting of the commission was deferred to January 15 without specifying any reason,” sources said.