CBI files FIR on spectrum allocation in NDA regime

Immediately after registering the case,CBI teams conducted searches at the official premises of Vodafone in Mumbai,Airtel in Gurgaon and residences of Ghosh and Gupta,it said.

Responding to the raids,Bharti Airtel said it has always maintained the highest standard of corporate governance and regulatory compliance.

“We would like to state that all the spectrum allotted to us from time to time has been strictly as per the stated government policy,” a Bharti Airtel spokesperson said.

“We are providing all details and correspondence to the authorities and shall provide complete support as needed in the matter,” the spokesperson said.

When approached,Vodafone said they would comment on the developments later.

Vodafone said,“There was a visit by CBI officials this morning at our office in Mumbai and Delhi seeking information related to the spectrum allocation to operators during 2001-02. All our documents are in complete compliance with the governing laws and regulations,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

“Vodafone India is completely co-operating with the officials and will provide them all the required details as part of their checks,” the spokesperson said.

The CBI had registered a preliminary inquiry to look into the allocation of spectrum by Mahajan to certain companies beyond the prescribed limit.

The CBI alleged in its FIR that Department of Telecom had increased the base spectrum for telecom companies from 4.4 MhZ to 6.2 MhZ during Mahajan’s tenure from 2001 to 2003 and also allocated extra spectrum on subscriber-based criteria.

The agency has already filed a case with regard to alleged conspiracy in the Aircel-Maxis deal during the tenure of the then Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran.