CBI quizzes telco executives on spectrum
It's learnt that for a few days now, routine work at Sanchar Bhavan has come to a crippling halt because many officials have been detained for questioning.
By Shalini Singh, TNN |
NEW DELHI: Scepticism about the CBI probe into the Rs 60,000-crore spectrum scam may not be warranted because the agency appears to be conducting a detailed and professional investigation that has now moved beyond the DoT headquarters to all private telecom companies that won 2G telecom licence at prices that have been described as ���throwaway������ by critics.
It���s learnt that for a few days now, routine work at Sanchar Bhavan has come to a crippling halt because many senior as well as junior DoT officials have been detained for questioning for long hours at the CBI offices.
According to DoT sources, the agency has seized important files linked to licence and spectrum allocation to the nine companies which led to the issuance of 120 letters of intent (LoIs) on 10 January, 2008.
These files belong to the Access Services division dealing with Unified Access Service Licenses (UASL) and the Wireless Planning Cell (WPC), which is responsible for allocating spectrum. Three deputy director generals ���two from the Access Services cell and one from the Data Services cell ���have been called in for questioning. Additionally , directors in the Access Services cell and officers in WPC have also been called in for interrogation.
In addition to these officers, the CBI has raided all private companies that received the LoIs, including Unitech Wireless, Swan, Sistema, S-Tel, Loop and Datacom. The CBI has called in several top-ranking officials of these companies for sustained interrogation.
The agency, say sources close to the probe, believes that given the number of people involved in the spectrum allocation across DoT, WPC, private companies and consultants , there are several ���smoking guns������ that will start revealing the truth. It is also learnt that the CBI will interrogate some retired DoT officials.
It���s learnt that for a few days now, routine work at Sanchar Bhavan has come to a crippling halt because many senior as well as junior DoT officials have been detained for questioning for long hours at the CBI offices.
According to DoT sources, the agency has seized important files linked to licence and spectrum allocation to the nine companies which led to the issuance of 120 letters of intent (LoIs) on 10 January, 2008.
These files belong to the Access Services division dealing with Unified Access Service Licenses (UASL) and the Wireless Planning Cell (WPC), which is responsible for allocating spectrum. Three deputy director generals ���two from the Access Services cell and one from the Data Services cell ���have been called in for questioning. Additionally , directors in the Access Services cell and officers in WPC have also been called in for interrogation.
In addition to these officers, the CBI has raided all private companies that received the LoIs, including Unitech Wireless, Swan, Sistema, S-Tel, Loop and Datacom. The CBI has called in several top-ranking officials of these companies for sustained interrogation.
The agency, say sources close to the probe, believes that given the number of people involved in the spectrum allocation across DoT, WPC, private companies and consultants , there are several ���smoking guns������ that will start revealing the truth. It is also learnt that the CBI will interrogate some retired DoT officials.
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The agency is also expected to reach out to Trai to fully understand the circumstances under which it wrote the recommendations for allocation of 2G spectrum and the controversy around its stance where it publicly accused the government of cherry-picking from its recommendations. Several CBI teams have been sent for outstation raids to collect evidence and grill officials. Start a SIP with as low as ₹500 with ET Money App!
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