The charge-sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation has revealed that Tata Teleservices was deprived of getting GSM spectrum by the way the dual technology policy was implemented.
Investigation has revealed that though the then Telecom Minister, Mr A. Raja, had decided to treat dual technology applicants on a par with existing licences, an application by the Tata Teleservices was sent to the Ministry of Law and Justice along with the set of applications from new players.
“According to the approval of the TRAI recommendations by Telecom Commission which was also approved by the Minister of Communication earlier, the matter regarding inter-se seniority of the applicants for dual technology spectrum and spectrum for new licensees had already been decided and the dual technology spectrum applicants were to be treated at a par with the existing licensees, and not with applicants for new licences,” the CBI charge-sheet stated.
CBI noted that though the decision to permit dual technology was notified by the Telecom Ministry on October 19, 2007, Reliance Communications, Shyam Telelinks and HFCL Infotel had already been granted in-principle approvals on October 18. But when Tata Teleservices applied for dual technology, its application was clubbed with the new licensees.
“Investigation has revealed that Raja in conspiracy with other accused person, did not accord in-principle approval to Tata Teleservices till January 10, 2008 when letters of intent to new licences were distributed,” the charge sheet said.
CBI further said that Tata Teleservices got a raw deal even when it came to spectrum allocation as Raja ensured that the company's application was processed only after the applications made by Unitech and Swan Telecom was cleared.
Investigation has revealed that Mr Siddartha Behura, former DoT Secretary, and Mr R. K. Chandolia, the then personal secretary of Mr Raja, caused the transfer of two officers of the Wireless Planning and Co-ordination wing who were not prepared to tow their line.