2G scam: CBI 'unaware' of national security angle

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday submitted to a local court its status report in the 2G spectrum case and suggested that all other cases relating to the spectrum allocation should be clubbed. It also said it was not aware of the national security angle of the case.

The case was filed on the basis of a private complaint filed by Janata Dal leader Subramaninan Swamy naming Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi as a co-accused along with former communications minister A. Raja in the 2G spectrum scam.

"The prosecution against Raja and the other co-accused in the scam is already taking place in the other CBI special court at Patiala House, therefore they should be clubbed," states the CBI report.

The CBI also informed the court that it was not aware of the details of the national security aspects of the 2G spectrum scam as alleged by Subramanian Swamy.

“We (CBI) are not aware of the details of national security aspect as raised by Swamy in his application as a copy of the complaint by him is not available with us,” CBI told Special Judge Pradeep Chaddah adding it had been probing the 2G spectrum allocation scam as per the case registered by it.

In his complaint, Swamy had claimed that the Home Ministry has held Etisalat DB a national security risk, since it has possible links with the intelligence agency of Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Swamy also stated before the court that he would be approaching the Supreme Court and would plead to club all the 2G related cases.

Swamy also targeted DB Realty managing director Shahid Usman Balwa, a co-accused in the 2G scam, and said that Balwa owns a private airport in Palanpur, Gujarat.

CBI Special Judge Sandeep Chaddha posted the matter for March 8, which is the next date for hearing the case.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), estimated that the 2G scam caused a presumptive loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer and has submitted a detailed report in the scam.

Raja, former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura and Raja's former personal secretary R.K. Chandolia were arrested Feb 2, and Balwa on Feb 18 for their suspected role in the allocation of airwaves for second generation (2G) phone services, billed as one of the country's biggest corruption scandals.

(With bureau reports)