Flashback 2G: Here's what led to SC verdict

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The Supreme Court on Thursday cancelled the 122 2G spectrum licences granted by former telecom minister A Raja on grounds that they were issued in a "totally arbitrary and unconstitutional" manner.

The case dates back to 2008 when the telecom ministry issued 122 new telecom licences and the second-generation radio spectrum to several domestic companies, that had little or no experience in the telecom sector, at a price set in 2001.

In 2009, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) curtly stated that the allocation process did not reflect the correct value of radio spectrum as there was no auction and the entire process was flawed, benefiting select companies. The auditor said the telecoms ministry did not do the requisite due diligence, granting 85 out of the 122 licences to ineligible applicants

Here is a chronology of events related to the 2G scam as it has unfolded so far:

27 May, 2007: A Raja takes over as telecom minister.

25 Sept: The minister changes cut-off date for receiving spectrum applications.

Nov 2: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh writes to Raja to consider spectrum auction and a fair and transparent revision of entry fee. Raja ignores this communication by saying he will go with first-come-first serve method.

Jan 2008: Letters of Intent issued and licence fee was fixed at the 2001 rate of Rs 1,658 crore, across India. First-come-first serve definition changed. There was a big commotion in Sanchar Bhavan on who would pay first.

22 April: DoT issues new mergers and acquisition rules, Trai recommendations ignored. Stake sales allowed.

4 Nov: Swan and Unitech inform DoT that they intend to sell 45% and 60% stakes to Etisalat and Telenor for Rs 9,800 crore and Rs 11,620 crore respectively. Both didn't have any customer.

5 Nov: Raja tells Telecom Commission to ban sale of promoters' equity after Swan and Unitech deals done.

Oct 22, 2009: CBI registers FIR against DoT and private companies for criminal conspiracy and loss to exchequer.

June 2010: 3G auctions yield around Rs 70,000 crore. CAG launches probe in 2G spectrum allocation. PIL filed in Supreme Court.

14 Nov: Raja forced to resign after PM's return from South Korea visit.

16 Nov: CAG estimates loss to exchequer from undervalued sale between Rs 70,000 crore and Rs 176645 crore.

Feb 2, 2011: Raja, former Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura and Raja's former Personal Secretary R K Chandolia arrested and next day they were remanded toCBI custody.

Feb 8: The DB Realty  promoter Shahid Balwa of was arrested by the CBI in connection with 2G scam. As DB Realty figured among the companies that bagged 2G licences in 2008. The company floated Swan Telecom.  The allegations were  that over Rs 200 crore was transferred by the DB group to a media company owned by DMK party members.

Mar 29:  Two more persons - Asif Balwa and Rajeev Agarwal - arrested. Agarwal and Asif Balwa were directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd. Asif was also Director of DB Realty Pvt Ltd

June 20: The Supreme Court rejects DMK leader Kanimozhi's bail plea

July 25: Raja seeks to make Prime Minister and former finance minister P Chidambaram as witness.

Sept 29: CBI says role of Anil Ambani being probed, gives a virtual clean chit to Tata and Videocon group

Oct 9: The CBI files FIR against Dayanidhi Maran and his brother in Aircel-Maxis deal. It has been alleged by former Aircel Chief C Sivasankaran that Maran as the then Telecom minister favoured Maxis-group in the takeover of his company and in return, investments were made by the company through Astro network in Sun TV owned by the Maran family.

Oct 22: Special CBI Court finds prima facie evidence to put on trial all 17 accused including Raja on various counts like criminal conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating and forgery.

Nov 3: Special CBI court dismisses bail pleas of all the 8 applicants (including Kanimozhi)

Nov 8: Special CBI court orders CBI to give copy of file on sale of equity by telecom companies (for investigating P Chidambaram's involvement)

Nov 9: Delhi HC refuses to grant interim bail to Karim Morani. 

Nov 11: Trial of the 17 accused begins in Patiala House special CBI court.

December 20: The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) continues to cross-examine CAG  on its loss estimates.

2012: Jan12-Jan 31:  Court issues summon to Ruias of Essar Group and Khaitans of Loop Telecom.

Feb 2: SC scraps 122 licences granted under Raja's tenure, trial court to decide Chidambaram's role in the scam

Disclaimer: The above information has been taken from Wikipedia