Some companies were also favored while awarding the licenses, even though the DOT had earlier said it would follow a “first come, first served” policy, it added.

Others named in the CBI charge sheet on Saturday include Raja’s two aides, and executives of two realty firms that obtained 2G licenses in 2008 and went on to sell stakes in their mobile companies to foreign mobile companies.

The two mobile companies and a company belonging to Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) were also named in the charge sheet, according to reports. India’s second largest mobile operator, Reliance Communications, is part of ADAG.

One of the mobile companies, Unitech Wireless, which has Telenor as an investor, said in an emailed statement Saturday that the CBI charges have yet to be proven and that it will argue its case in court. The company added that it believed it was eligible for the license and has rolled out services as required. Unitech Wireless uses the Uninor brand in India.

Etisalat, which has a stake in the other mobile operator, Etisalat DB Telecom, was not immediately available for comment. Etisalat DB Telecom was called Swan Telecom before the UAE operator acquired a stake in the company.