2G spectrum allocation case: Telecommunications
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How the 2G case unfolded
2007-11
2007
May 2007 : Raja takes over as telecom minister Aug DoT starts process of 2G spectrum allotment, UAS licences
Sept 25 : Telecom ministry fixes Oct 1, 2007 as application deadline
Nov 2 : PM writes to Raja directing him to ensure allotment in a fair and transparent manner and to properly revise licence fee. Raja rejects many of his recommendations
Nov 22 : Fin min writes to DoT raising concern over the procedure adopted by it. Demand for review rejected
2008
Jan 10, 2008 : DoT decides to issue licences on first-come-first served basis, brings forward the cut-off date to Sept 25. Says those who apply between 3.30pm and 4.30pm would be issued licences in accordance with the said policy Swan Telecom, Unitech and Tata Teleservices sell off a part of their stakes at much higher rates to Etisalat, Telenor and DOCOMO
Nov 29 : Subramanian Swamy makes representation to PM, seeks sanction to prosecute Raja under Prevention of Corruption Act
2009
May 4, 2009 : NGO Telecom Watchdog files complaint to CVC on illegalities in spectrum allocation to Loop CVC directs CBI to probe allocation of 2G spectrum
July 1 : Delhi HC holds advancing of cut-off date illegal
Oct 21 : CBI lodges FIR against unknown persons, including DoT officials, under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act
2010
Mar 31, 2010 : CAG reports large-scale irregularities
May 6 : Telephonic conversation between Raja and Niira Radia made public NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation moves Delhi HC seeking either SIT or CBI probe
May 25 : Delhi HC dismisses the petition
Aug 10 : The NGO moves SC
Aug 18 : Delhi HC refuses to direct PM to decide on Swamy’s complaint seeking sanction to prosecute Raja
Sept 13 : SC asks Centre, Raja to reply in 10 days to three petitions of CPIL and others on allegation there was a Rs 70,000 crore scam
Sept 24 : Swamy moves SC seeking direction to the PM to sanction Raja’s prosecution
Nov 10 : CAG report says the scam caused a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer Nov 11 DoT files affidavit in SC saying CAG did not have the authority to question policy decision on 2G licences
Nov 14 : Raja resigns as telecom minister
Nov 30 : SC questions CVC P J Thomas’s moral right to supervise CBI’s probe into the scam as he himself was telecom secy at that point of time
Dec 8 : SC favours probe into spectrum allocation since 2001
Dec 8 : SC orders setting up of a special court to try 2G spectrum scam
Dec 8 : ED submits report. Says money trail covers 10 countries, including Mauritius
2011
Jan 10, 2011 : SC notice to Centre on a plea seeking cancellation of 2G licences
Feb 2 : Raja, ex-telecom secy Siddartha Behura and Raja’s former aide R K Chandolia arrested
Feb 8 : Shahid Usman Balwa, promoter of Swan Telecom, arrested
Apr 25 : Kanimozhi, Sharad Kumar & Karim Morani summoned
May 20 : Court rejects bail pleas, orders arrest of Kanimozhi and others
Aug 23 : Swamy moves SC for making Chidambaram accused
Sept 15 : Swamy moves special CBI court to make Chidambaram a coaccused
Sept 22 : CBI defends Chidambaram in SC, blames DoT
Oct 10 : SC reserves order on Swamy’s plea for a probe into Chidambaram’s alleged role
Oct 22 : Special court frames charges against Raja and 16 others
Nov : Barring Raja and Behura, 12 others get bail
Dec 12 : CBI also names Essar, Loop promoters as accused
Jan 31 : SC says filing complaint under the PC Act is a constitutional right and the competent authority should take a decision on giving sanction within four months
Feb 2 : SC cancels 122 licences granted during Raja’s tenure, leaves it to the special court to decide on Chidambaram
2007-17: a graphic
From A. Subramani, December 21, 2017: The Times of India
See graphic:
2007-17: How the 2G case unfolded
