Attorney general quizzed by CBI in spectrum case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has questioned attorney general GE Vahanvati regarding the alleged legal advice he gave in his role as the solicitor general to then communication minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum allocation, informed sources said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has questioned attorney general GE Vahanvati regarding the alleged legal advice he gave in his role as the solicitor general to then communication minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum allocation, informed sources said.

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Vahanvati was asked last week about the basis of his alleged legal opinion justifying the "first come first serve" policy adopted by Raja in the allocation of 2G spectrum, the sources said.

Vahanvati's office declined to comment.

Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy, who moved a petition against Raja in the Supreme Court, alleged that Vahanvati provided legal opinion on the 2G spectrum. Vahanvati has denied the charges.

The spectrum allocation turned into a major controversy as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) cited irregularities and said Raja's faulty policies had cost the nation Rs 1.72 lakh crore.

Raja quit November 14. He was arrested February 2 and is lodged in the Tihar jail.