Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

    Punjab announces cotton mechanisation programme

    Punjab announces cotton mechanisation programme
    The Punjab government Monday announced that a "Cotton Mechanisation Programme" would be introduced in the cotton-producing Malwa belt of south-west Punjab.

    Punjab announces cotton mechanisation programme

    Priyanka's comment about Smriti shows arrogance

    Priyanka's comment about Smriti shows arrogance
    BJP leader Arun Jaitley Monday said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's comment about Smriti Irani in Amethi showed her "arrogance at its worst".

    Priyanka's comment about Smriti shows arrogance

    Case against Ramdev for hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs

    Case against Ramdev for hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs
    In his complaint, Harpreet Singh said Ramdev had hurt religious sentiments of Sikhs after he was shown in a photograph at a yoga camp at Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda district with a photograph of the 10th guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, placed near his feet.

    Case against Ramdev for hurting religious sentiments of Sikhs

    In-Depth Narendra Modi Interview: I Am No Know-All Leader

    In-Depth Narendra Modi Interview: I Am No Know-All Leader
    Saying he was no know-all leader, BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi has disclosed that he relied a lot on "professionals and domain experts" in governance and believed that the "single-minded focus" on attacking him was what "brought a lot of support from the people of India to me".

    In-Depth Narendra Modi Interview: I Am No Know-All Leader

    Amethi won't forgive Modi for insulting my father: Priyanka

    Amethi won't forgive Modi for insulting my father: Priyanka
    Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Monday attacked BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi for his speech in Amethi, saying he had insulted her "martyred" father Rajiv Gandhi and people of the constituency will not forgive him for this.

    Amethi won't forgive Modi for insulting my father: Priyanka

    EC can inquire into paid news allegations, says SC

    EC can inquire into paid news allegations, says SC
    The Supreme Court Monday said that the Election Commission was empowered to inquire into the allegation of paid news if the expenses for the same are not being reflected in the election return filed by the candidate.

    EC can inquire into paid news allegations, says SC