2G scam: CBI to scan irregularities in telecom policy from 2001

The CBI has started its probe into the preliminary enquiry registered to look into various irregularities in telecom policy from 2001. The agency has brought A. Raja’s predecessors in its ambit of investigation.

“The CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) into possible criminal aspects in the telecom policy from 2001 to 2007. And our probe is actively looking into the matter,” CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra told ‘DNA’. The PE was registered against “unknown persons”, with an aim to ascertain as to whether the “first-come-first-serve basis” provision passed by the then cabinet led by Atal Behari Vajpayee was followed or not.
According to sources, the probing agency is going into the minutes of the meetings held by successive telecom ministers, which included late Pramod Mahajan, Arun Shourie and Dayanidhi Maran.

Former telecom minister Arun Shourie, during his questioning by the CBI in February, has also alleged that his successor Dayanidhi Maran had tweaked the TRAI guidelines in 2005 to benefit some operators.

“Our investigation in this matter is at an advanced stage and soon, we will register the FIR,” a CBI officer said.