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All you need to know about the 2G spectrum 'scam'

On December 21, 2017, a special CBI court in New Delhi acquitted all the accused in the 2G Spectrum case. The verdict was pronounced by Special CBI Judge O P Saini citing lack of evidence against former telecom minister A Raja, Rajya Sabha MP and DMK member Kanimozhi and others involved in the case.
What is 2G spectrum case? The 2G spectrum case was allegedly conspired by the politicians and government official under the coalition of the Congress government. The 'scam' caused Rs 22000 crore loss to exchequer as per the CBI chargesheet.
What is 2G spectrum case? The 2G spectrum case was allegedly conspired by the politicians and government official under the coalition of the Congress government. The 'scam' caused Rs 22000 crore loss to exchequer as per the CBI chargesheet.
Online Desk
Updated on: 
2 min read
India is divided into 22 telecommunications zones, with 281 zonal licenses. In 2008, 122 new second-generation 2G Unified Access Service (UAS) licenses were granted to telecom companies on a first-come, first-served basis as fixed in 2001 price.
India is divided into 22 telecommunications zones, with 281 zonal licenses. In 2008, 122 new second-generation 2G Unified Access Service (UAS) licenses were granted to telecom companies on a first-come, first-served basis as fixed in 2001 price.
Licenses were granted to ineligible corporations, reportedly with no experience in the telecom sector (such as Unitech and Swan Telecom) and those who had concealed relevant information. In pic: Kanimozhi and A Raja after their arrival at the Patiala House New Dlhi.
Licenses were granted to ineligible corporations, reportedly with no experience in the telecom sector (such as Unitech and Swan Telecom) and those who had concealed relevant information. In pic: Kanimozhi and A Raja after their arrival at the Patiala House New Dlhi.
When an investigation was conducted in connection with the case, CBI filed a total of chargesheet which ran into 80000 pages. About 17 people were accused of misconduct in the case.
When an investigation was conducted in connection with the case, CBI filed a total of chargesheet which ran into 80000 pages. About 17 people were accused of misconduct in the case.
A Raja emerged as the face of the 'scam' as he was the Union Telecom Minister under the UPA government. He was accused of violating rules to favour a few selected telecom groups. In pic: A Raja waving at the public after coming out of the Patiala House. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
A Raja emerged as the face of the 'scam' as he was the Union Telecom Minister under the UPA government. He was accused of violating rules to favour a few selected telecom groups. In pic: A Raja waving at the public after coming out of the Patiala House. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
A joint investigative report by the CBI and the Income Tax Department alleged that Raja may have received a Rs 30 billion (US$470 million) bribe for postponing the cut-off date for spectrum applications. A Raja supporters hail the court's judgment after the court acquitted Raja of all charges. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
A joint investigative report by the CBI and the Income Tax Department alleged that Raja may have received a Rs 30 billion (US$470 million) bribe for postponing the cut-off date for spectrum applications. A Raja supporters hail the court's judgment after the court acquitted Raja of all charges. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
Allegation were also made against DMK Rajya Sabha MP M. K. Kanimozhi, the daughter of Karunanidhi. According to the CBI chargesheet, Kanimozhi owns 20 percent of family-owned Kalaignar TV; her stepmother, Dayalu Ammal, owns 60 percent of the channel. In pic: Kanimozhi waves at public after waking free from the Patiala House. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
Allegation were also made against DMK Rajya Sabha MP M. K. Kanimozhi, the daughter of Karunanidhi. According to the CBI chargesheet, Kanimozhi owns 20 percent of family-owned Kalaignar TV; her stepmother, Dayalu Ammal, owns 60 percent of the channel. In pic: Kanimozhi waves at public after waking free from the Patiala House. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
The CBI alleges that Kanimozhi was the 'active brain' behind the channel and conspired with Raja to coerce DB Realty co-founder Shahid Balwa to funnel Rs 2 billion (US$31 million) to Kalaignar TV. Kanimozhi was in regular contact with Raja about the launch of Kalaignar TV. In pic: People celebrating the court's 2G spectrum case verdict outside Patiala House. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
The CBI alleges that Kanimozhi was the 'active brain' behind the channel and conspired with Raja to coerce DB Realty co-founder Shahid Balwa to funnel Rs 2 billion (US$31 million) to Kalaignar TV. Kanimozhi was in regular contact with Raja about the launch of Kalaignar TV. In pic: People celebrating the court's 2G spectrum case verdict outside Patiala House. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
Charges were also framed against Kalaignar TV managing director Sharath Kumar for accepting Rs 200 crore bribe for granting license to Swan telecom. In pic: Sharath Kumar, another accused in the case walks free. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
Charges were also framed against Kalaignar TV managing director Sharath Kumar for accepting Rs 200 crore bribe for granting license to Swan telecom. In pic: Sharath Kumar, another accused in the case walks free. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
RK Chandolia was charged for misusing his position as a public servant to enter into criminal conspiracy in granting the license to Swan and Unitech.
RK Chandolia was charged for misusing his position as a public servant to enter into criminal conspiracy in granting the license to Swan and Unitech.
Former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura was charged for cheating Department of Telecommunications for issuing license to Swan and Unitech using forged signature of A Raja. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
Former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura was charged for cheating Department of Telecommunications for issuing license to Swan and Unitech using forged signature of A Raja. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
On December 21, 2017, a special CBI court in New Delhi acquitted all the accused in the 2G Spectrum case. The verdict was pronounced by Special CBI Judge O P Saini citing lack of evidence against former telecom minister A Raja, Rajya Sabha MP and DMK member Kanimozhi and others involved in the case. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
On December 21, 2017, a special CBI court in New Delhi acquitted all the accused in the 2G Spectrum case. The verdict was pronounced by Special CBI Judge O P Saini citing lack of evidence against former telecom minister A Raja, Rajya Sabha MP and DMK member Kanimozhi and others involved in the case. (EPS|Shekhar Yadav)
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that allegation of a major scam involving the highest levels of Government was never true, was not correct and that has been established after the verdict . (Photo | PTI)
Former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that allegation of a major scam involving the highest levels of Government was never true, was not correct and that has been established after the verdict . (Photo | PTI)
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley cited a Supreme Court verdict to assert corruption in the UPA government's 2G spectrum allocation policy, and mocked the Congress by saying it was treating a trial court's acquittal of the accused in the case as a badge of honour. (Photo | PTI)
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley cited a Supreme Court verdict to assert corruption in the UPA government's 2G spectrum allocation policy, and mocked the Congress by saying it was treating a trial court's acquittal of the accused in the case as a badge of honour. (Photo | PTI)
2G spectrum scam

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