Close X
Monday, September 23, 2024
ADVT 
India

Reliance pleads not guilty in 2G case

Darpan News Desk IANS, 12 May, 2014 10:23 AM
    Reliance Telecom told a special court on second generation telecom spectrum allocation case Monday that it had violated no guidelines formulated by the government.
     
    "My investment in the equity of STPL (Swan Telecom) was less than 10 percent, which was in compliance with the USAL (unified access service license) guidelines," it told the court in a statement, via representative Nitin Aggarwal.
     
    "This investment was made with a view to provide an opportunity to the Reliance Communications sub-group for effective utilization of its telecom infrastructure," it said.
     
    The statement followed acquisitions that the Reliance was a front company for Swan, in violation of the norms.
     
    It was also in response to some 1,700 questions running into 824 pages had been handed over March 27 to the company and its senior executives, including Gautam Doshi.
     
    They were a part of the process to record the statements of the accused in the case.
     
    Doshi told the Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, presided over by Judge O.P. Saini, that neither he nor and his company were guilty and requested immediate acquittal.
     
    The firm said that there was no basis for the case against it, as the decision to make investments (in Swan) was purely commercial -- for obtaining a market for exploiting infrastructure facilities.
     
    "I am at a loss to understand as to why, when the facts are clear, the making of a commercial investment and divestment resulted in the CBI filing a case against me," said Agarwal.
     
    He said that the entire case was totally misconceived.
     
    "There was no withholding of information and no attempt was made to misguide, mislead or provide incorrect information. At no stage did DOT (Department of Telecom) call for any information from me."
     
    Doshi also told court that he was innocent.
     
    "I respectfully submit and humbly request the court to acquit me of all the charges framed against me."
     
    The court had Nov 27 last year concluded recording statements of as many as 153 people, running into 4,400 pages.
     
    According to the government auditor, former telecom minister A. Raja was biased while distributing 2G mobile airwaves and operating licenses to some telecom firms.
     
    Based on audit reports, the government counsel said it has caused a huge loss in revenues to the treasury. All the main accused, once in custody, are out on bail.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Kejriwal punched while campaigning in Delhi

    Kejriwal punched while campaigning in Delhi
    A 19-year-old man twice punched AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal here Friday while pretending to garland him as the latter campaigned for the Lok Sabha election.

    Kejriwal punched while campaigning in Delhi

    AAP unveils economic, foreign policy in manifesto

    AAP unveils economic, foreign policy in manifesto
    The AAP unveiled for the first time Thursday its national vision, saying it favoured a healthy market economy and zero tolerance towards terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.

    AAP unveils economic, foreign policy in manifesto

    Indian rocket carrying navigation satellite set for Friday launch

    Indian rocket carrying navigation satellite set for Friday launch
     The 58.5 hour countdown for the Friday evening launch of India's second satellite is progressing smoothly, the space agency said.

    Indian rocket carrying navigation satellite set for Friday launch

    Will bring back black money, says AAP

    Will bring back black money, says AAP
    The AAP Thursday released its manifesto for the Lok Sabha election, promising to bring back black money stashed abroad and clarifying it was not against FDI in principle.

    Will bring back black money, says AAP

    Voting hours for National polls extended-- 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Voting hours for National polls extended-- 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Voting hours for the coming Lok Sabha election has been fixed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath announced Thursday.

    Voting hours for National polls extended-- 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Delhi's 33 percent LS candidates are millionaires

    Delhi's 33 percent LS candidates are millionaires
    At least 33 percent of Delhi's Lok Sabha candidates are millionaires, says an analysis by the Association of Democratic Reforms.

    Delhi's 33 percent LS candidates are millionaires