Raja threatened staff to favour Swan,Unitech: CBI

Raja and his staff threatened and coerced officials in giving preference to Swan and Unitech over Tata group.

Former telecom minister A Raja and his staff threatened and coerced officials in giving preference to Swan Telecom and Unitech over Tata group in the award of telecom licences,CBI has informed the Joint Parliamentary Committee probing the 2G scam.

CBI Director A P Singh,who gave a detailed presentation on various aspects of the spectrum allocation scam on June 7,told the panel that the two officers who did not process the file,giving preference to Swan Telecom over Tata Tele-Services Limited,were transferred by Secretary (Telecom) Siddharth Behura in league with Rajas private secretary R K Chandolia.

He told the JPC that the then wireless adviser,R P Aggarwal,was given credible threat of consequences and was forced to put up a note for allocating spectrum to Swan in Delhi circle,which was approved by Behura and Raja. Singh told the JPC that TTSL got in-principle approval for use of dual technology in 20 circles along with the letters of intent given to new licencees on January 10,2008. The company complied with the conditions and applied to Wireless Planning and Coordination for spectrum. The applications filed by TTSL went missing and the company was asked to file fresh applications on March 5,2008,whereas the licences were signed for new applicants Swan and Unitech,the director told the JPC.

He also described the relationship between Reliance Telecom and Swan Telecom saying the Anil Ambani-headed company was structured in a manner that their association would remain under wraps. The Reliance Infocomm spokesperson refused to comment.