CBI: Chargesheet in alleged irregularities in charging of spectrum fees

Jalandhar, December 21, 2012: The Central Bureau of Investigation has today filed a Charge Sheet in the  Court of Special Judge (2G Spectrum Cases), Patiala House Courts, New Delhi U/s 120-B of IPC r/w Sec 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 and substantive offences thereof against  the then Secretary, DoT and Chairman, Telecom Commission and three Telecom Companies based in Delhi and Mumbai, in connection with alleged irregularities in the charging of spectrum fees and consequent loss of about Rs. 846.44 crores to public exchequer.
During monitoring of the investigation of 2G Spectrum cases, Supreme Court of India passed an order dated 16.12.2010 directing  that the CBI shall, if it has already not registered first information report in the context of the alleged irregularities committed in the grant of licences from 2001 to 2006-2007, now register a case and conduct thorough investigation with particular emphasis on the loss caused to the public exchequer and corresponding gain to the licensees/service providers. Accordingly a Preliminary Enquiry was registered on 04-01-2011 by CBI into aforesaid issues.
On the basis of outcome of the said Preliminary Enquiry, a Regular Case was registered by CBI, on 17.11.2011 U/s 120-B IPC r/w Section 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 against the then Secretary, Department of Telecom and three private telecom companies based at Delhi, Mumbai and others.
CBI investigation revealed that the then Secretary, Department of Telecom in conspiracy with the then MoC&IT and the three accused beneficiary Companies based at Delhi and Mumbai through their representatives, had abused his official position as public servant and allegedly  showed undue favour which caused loss of about Rs. 846.44 crores to the Government exchequer and corresponding undue gain to the aforesaid accused telecom companies including incidental gain to other telecom companies by charging spectrum fee of only additional 1% of Adjusted Gross Revenue(AGR) instead of charging the required additional 2% of AGR for allocation of additional spectrum from 6.2 MHz upto 10 MHz.
The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it.  Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.