New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS) Disgraced DMK leader A. Raja was arrested here Wednesday by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for his role in the controversial allocation of airwaves for second generation (2G) telecom services, three months after he was forced to resign as communications minister.
Here is the timeline of the case:
– Oct 22, 2009: The CBI files a first information report (FIR) against unidentified officials of the department of telecommunications on the 2G spectrum (airwaves) auction, based on a reference from the Central Vigilance Commission.
– Nov first week, 2010: Media publishes contents of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on the 2G spectrum auction. The CAG said that the public exchequer suffered a notional loss of Rs.1.76 lakh crore ($40 billion) due to faulty auction procedure under Raja in 2008.
– Nov 9, 2010: Parliament’s winter session begins. Protests by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Left parties and other parties – demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the spectrum scandal – wash away the five-week session.
– Nov 14: Raja submits his resignation to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. Claims he did no wrong.
– Nov 16: CAG report on 2G spectrum allocation tabled in both houses of parliament amidst uproarious scenes.
– Dec 8: The CBI raids the house of Raja and premises of former aides Siddhartha Behura and R.K. Chandolia in New Delhi. It also raids houses and offices of Raja’s relatives, associates and some journalists and social workers in Tamil Nadu linked to the DMK and Raja. The CBI claims recovering incriminating documents.
– Dec 15: The CBI raids the houses and offices of Niira Radia, a corporate lobbyist linked with Raja. She is subsequently questioned by the CBI several times.
– Dec 24: The CBI questions Raja in New Delhi.
– Dec 25: Raja’s questioning continues for the second day.
– Jan 31, 2011: The CBI questions Raja again.
– Feb 2: The CBI arrests Raja, Chandolia and Behura.
