2G scam: CBI gives clean chit to Tata

The anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau Investigation has given a clean chit to Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata in the 2G spectrum scam.

This is the first time the agency has gone on record on the complaint filed against Tata Teleservices.

The CBI's standing counsel told the Delhi court now hearing the 2G spectrum scam.

A petition filed by Dharmendra Pandey, a lawyer, had pleaded that Ratan Tata be made an accused in the 2G scam case for 'benefiting from the scam, along with Niira Radia, as his company had benefited immensely when A Raja was the Union telecom minister'.

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The CBI counsel, however, told the Delhi court that investigations show that Tata Telecom did not benefit in any way from the scam that saw companies getting telecom licenses and spectrum at throwaway prices in 2008.

"We've examined the issue in detail. There was no irregularity in the issuance of licenses to Tata Telecom," stated the CBI.

The investigation in the 2G scam is being conducted by the CBI, under the supervision of a special court in Delhi.

The former telecom minister A Raja is currently lodged in Tihar jail, along with executives of some of India's biggest telecom companies, for their alleged involvement in the huge scam that caused the national exchequer immense losses.

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The accused had allegedly conspired to get out-of-turn allotments for spectrum and licenses.

Reported to be India's largest scam ever, the 2G swindle is a political hot potato and has made the UPA government a target for 'allowing rampant corruption'.

DMK chief M Karunanidhi's daughter and Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi too is in jail for her alleged involvement in the scandal. DMK is a major alliance partner in the UPA government at the Centre.

Lobbyist Niira Radia is a witness for the CBI. Her phone was tapped in 2008 and 2009 in connection with an income tax investigation. Her conversations with Kanimozhi, Raja and others blew the lid off the 2G scam.