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

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