India files charges against former telecom minister

02.04.2011
India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed charges against nine people, including the country’s former telecommunications minister, A. Raja, in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G licenses and spectrum in 2008.

The charge sheet, which sets the stage for the trial of Raja and others, was filed by the CBI before the court of a special judge for CBI cases in Delhi on Saturday. The CBI said it had established that Raja and others committed offenses punishable under the country’s Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Raja and two aides were arrested in February by the CBI in connection with the agency’s investigation into the alleged scam in the allocation of 2G licenses.

Irregular allocations of 2G licenses and spectrum to some Indian operators in 2008 may have cost the country US$39 billion, according to a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) that was presented to Parliament in November.

Raja resigned a few days ahead of the presentation of the report in Parliament, after its contents were leaked to local media.

The 2G licenses were issued at 2001 prices without an auction even though other government agencies, such as the Ministry of Finance, had asked the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) to review the decision, the CAG said.