2G case: CBI closes probe against Arun Shourie | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

2G case: CBI closes probe against Arun Shourie

PTI | By, New Delhi
Jul 16, 2012 08:13 PM IST

After nearly 19 months of its preliminary enquiry into telecom spectrum allocation during 2001-07, the CBI has closed the probe pertaining to the period when Arun Shourie was the telecom minister.

After nearly 19 months of its preliminary enquiry into telecom spectrum allocation during 2001-07, the CBI has closed the probe pertaining to the period when Arun Shourie was the telecom minister.

CBI sources said the documents related to tenure of Shourie and his examination during the probe have not revealed any irregularity.

HT Image
HT Image

After registering the preliminary enquiry in January, 2011, the CBI had found alleged irregularities during the tenure of two ministers -- late Pramod Mahajan and DMK leader Dayanidhi Maran -- in which it had filed FIRs.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The probe was spanned across telecom spectrum allocation during 2001-07 in which Shourie was in charge of the telecom portfolio between January 2003 and May 2004 in the NDA government. Before him, Mahajan was telecom minister in the NDA government.

After the UPA government came to power in 2004, Maran was the telecom minister till 2007.

CBI sources said the first-come, first-served policy adopted during Shourie's tenure was to promote telecom services in less lucrative areas where telecom operators were reluctant to go.

The agency has found in its probe that during his tenure the licences were mostly given to non-attractive regions like northeast, Odisha, Jammu and Kashmir.

During its probe, the agency scrutinised meetings chaired by Shourie, observations of Shivraj V Patil committee besides other documents only to conclude that no irregularity was committed during his tenure.

The agency has booked former telecom secretary Shyamal Ghosh and three private cellular companies for alleged irregularities in awarding additional spectrum during Mahajan's tenure while Maran has been named in Aircel-Maxis deal probe.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On