2G scam: CBI raids Vodafone, Airtel offices; registers new cases

Extending its probe to NDA regime, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday registered a fresh case in the allocation of additional spectrum to private telecom firms when the late Pramod Mahajan was telecommunications minister in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

"The agency has registered a case in the allocation of additional spectrum today during the NDA's rule," said a CBI official.

"The agency also raided the Vodafone office in Mumbai, Bharti Airtel office in Gurgaon and residences of Shyamal Ghosh and J.R. Gupta," the official added. The late Pramod Mahajan of the Bharatiya Janata Party was telecom minister between 2001-2003.

While J.R. Gupta was the deputy director general in the telecom ministry, Shyamal Ghosh was telecom secretary.

Earlier, the investigating agency had conducted a preliminary inquiry regarding the allocation of additional spectrum from 2001 to 2007.

Bharti Airtel, however, denied to any irregularities in spectrum allocated to them. "Bharti Airtel has always maintained the highest standards of corporate governance and regulatory compliance. We would like to categorically state that all the spectrum allotted to us from time to time has been strictly as per the stated government policy. We are providing all details and correspondence to the authorities and shall provide complete support as needed in the matter," a company's spokesperson said.

- With inputs from IANS