Two months from now, it will be a year since the CBI registered a corruption case against unknown persons of the telecom department in the now infamous 2G licence case. The raids conducted by the CBI on the offices of DoT in October last year were significant not only since the needle of suspicion pointed to the Union telecom minister A Raja, but also because it is was the first major case of corruption in the UPA government?s regime. But 10 months down the line, with numerous documented evidences available and a Delhi High Court judgement castigating Raja, the CBI is yet to complete its investigation. It is high time that the agency be asked what?s holding its investigations when in private several officials of the DoT maintain that if one just peruses the related files, it is an open and shut case. One hopes the CBI has all the relevant files in its custody.
Just a short recap on events relating to the 2G scam: the Delhi High Court criticised the manner of allotment of licences declaring it akin to selling cinema tickets, the shooting down of DoT?s defence with regard to advancing the cut-off date for allocation of licences to September 25, 2007, from the earlier notified October 1, 2007, the CAG?s queries to the DoT detailing the irregularities and numerous reports in the media. The government?s lack of confidence in Raja was aptly reflected when the 3G spectrum auction was taken outside his purview. Further action on Raja as stated by the PM is dependent on the CBI?s enquiry.
This newspaper has carried detailed reports on how the then secretary DS Mathur opposed Raja?s move to grant new licences without first coming out with a transparent and equitable policy. So much so that Mathur refused to sign any files until his retirement on December 31, 2007. This fact is catalogued in DoT?s records and can easily be accessed. With all this established and all the notings and documents now available with the CBI, what is causing the delay in its report? The Public Accounts Committee is now examining the matter. In some time, the CAG would also come out with its report. Would the CBI wait to see the findings of these committees before it comes out with its own?
anandita.mankotia@expressindia.com