Raja, Behura, Chandolia are core sector of 2G scam: CBI

Former Telecom Minister A Raja and two sacked bureaucrats R K Chandolia and Siddharth Behura were the "core sector" of conspiracy and stand on a "different footing" from those granted bail in 2G spectrum allocation scam case, CBI today told a Delhi court.

CBI's stand against the trio came out when it was opposing the bail plea of Chandolia, who was Raja's private secretary when the alleged offence in 2G spectrum allocation was committed. "The core sector of conspiracy comprises these three gentlemen (Raja, Behura and Chandolia) and they fall in the same category which is different from others who are granted bail," Special Public Prosecutor U U Lalit submitted before designated CBI Judge O P Saini. "These three gentlemen (Raja, Behura and Chandolia) are on a different footing....It will be unrealistic to draw a parity with those released on bail," Lalit said. Opposing Chandolia's bail plea, Lalit said he had "modified and altered" the cut-off dates for applying for the Unified Access Services Licences (UASL) which benefited the private companies. "His (Chandolia) role is in having modified and altered the cut-off date, thus benefiting the private companies. He is referred to as the key person as far as altering the cut-off date and shuffling the priority of applicants is concerned. "His role is also in designing the manner in which letter of intents (LoIs) was being distributed," Lalit said. The court has reserved its order for tomorrow on the bail plea of Chandolia after hearing arguments of CBI as well as the defence counsel. (More)