2G spectrum scam: Raja to appear before CBI on Friday

2G spectrum scam: Raja to appear before CBI on Friday

Former Telecom Minister A Raja will be questioned by CBI within next two days in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum that resulted in a loss of at least Rs 22,000 crore to the exchequer.

Former Telecom Minister A. Raja will appear on 24^th December before Central Bureau of Investigation officials for questioning in connection with alleged irregularities in the allocation of 2G spectrum.

“I will appear before the CBI on December 24 at 10 a.m. I will appear for interrogation,” Raja told reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday on his arrival from Chennai.

The CBI officials have sent a notice under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code to Raja to appear before the investigating agency for questioning in the case.

“I had made the request for (appearance on) December 24 to the CBI and they have accepted it,” Raja said.

Earlier in the day, Raja said he will co-operate with the CBI.

“I will co-operate with the investigating agency,” Raja told reporters at the State Guest House in Chennai before emplaning for the national capital.

The Supreme Court has asked the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to submit status reports on their investigations into the 2G scam to it by 10^th February, when the case will come up for hearing.

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in its report to Parliament had said that the allocation of 2G spectrum at undervalued prices had resulted in the loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer.

CBI in its FIR had mentioned the loss as Rs 22,000 crore based on the findings of Central Vigilance Commission which had referred the case to it.

47-year-old Raja was forced to resign as Telecom Minister in the wake of the government auditor's report last month.

Radia was questioned by the CBI yesterday at her South Delhi farmhouse for four hours. Radia hit the spotlight after her taped telephonic conversations with various influential people including industrialists, politicians and journalists became public.

CBI has also questioned former Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) chief Pradip Baijal, a 1966 batch IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, in connection with the case.

The premises of Raja, Baijal and Radia were searched by the CBI earlier this month.