2G: Raja's private secretary said not to take application after Unitech

Former Telecom Minister A Raja's then private secretary RK Chandolia had given instructions to to the DoT to stop receiving applications for grant of 2G spectrum licences after Unitech Group submits it, a key prosecution witness today told a Delhi Court.

Unitech Ltd MD Sanjay Chandra and Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd and Chandolia are facing trial for their alleged role in the 2G scam.

AK Srivastava, a former Deputy Director General (AS) of the Department of Telecom, said he had opposed the idea given by Chandolia to him on September 24, 2007 about not receiving applications for Unified Access Service Licences (UASL) after Unitech Group submits it on that day itself.

Srivastava stated this before Special CBI Judge OP Saini when he was cross examined by Chandolia's counsel Vijay Aggarwal who asked, "I put it to you that when RK Chandolia allegedly told you to stop receipt of UASL applications, you opposed the idea saying that it is unfair?"

Srivastava answered the question saying, "That is correct, but I was asked by RK Chandolia to do so. It is wrong to suggest that I am repeatedly shifting my position."

He said that he had not told the CBI about this till March 15 last year as there was "no discussion" on this point till then.

Srivastava's testimony assumes significance as the CBI, in its charge sheet, had said that in pursuance of a conspiracy to favour telecom firms, Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd and Swan Telecom, Raja had decided to accept applications filed with DoT till September 25, 2007 only.

During his cross examination, Srivastava denied that he is "deposing falsely" in the court to implicate Chandolia as he was under CBI's pressure to testify against the accused due to a "likely" disproportionate assets case against him.

Srivastava said, "It is wrong to suggest that I am deposing falsely in order to save myself and to implicate Chandolia falsely in this case for the reason that I am under pressure of CBI on the pretext of a likely DA case against me."

Srivastava, whose cross examination will continue tomorrow, said that Chandolia had asked him to initiate a note on September 24, 2007 and its basic idea was to fix a cut-off date for receipt of further UASL applications in the DoT and not for processing of applications.

On being asked as to why he had not informed the telecom secretary if he was told to put up a note in violation of the norms and rules of the DoT, Srivastava said, "On the date the note was put up, I was under much pressure and was also told by Chandolia not to mention his name."

"I had no opportunity or occasion to think about writing to the secretary as I was under threat of the implications of writing to the secretary," he said.

He also denied that he had informed DoT staff on January 9, 2008 that letter of intents (LoIs) would be issued to the eligible applicants on the next day and for that purpose, four counters would be set up.

He said that then telecom secretary Sidharath Behura, also an accused in the 2G case, had approved the modalities of distribution of LoIs through four counters.

He reiterated in the court that his house and office was searched by the CBI. Earlier also he had said that the agency searched his house on December 8, 2010 and had taken some documents pertaining to construction of his house, income tax, saving instruments and others.

Raja and Chandolia, alongwith others, are facing trial in the 2G case for various offences like cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and faking documents under the IPC and for the offences punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act.