The special 2G court on Thursday gave a clean chit to former telecom Secretary Shyamlal Ghosh and three telecom firms in the additional spectrum case – with the court directing the CBI to take action against erring officials for filing a fabricated chargesheet. The court has discharged them of charges of criminal conspiracy and under sections of Prevention of corruption Act. Special Judge OP Saini has discharged former telecom Secretary Shyamlal Ghosh and three telecom companies — Hutchison Max (P) Ltd, Sterling Cellular Ltd and Bharti Cellular Ltd.
“I find that there is no incriminating evidence against the accused and the accused deserve to be discharged,” the court ordered. The special court also rapped the CBI for filing a “distorted and fabricated” charge sheet against the accused persons. Taking a strong view, it has also directed the CBI Director to initiate inquiry proceedings against the erring officials, who filed the charge sheet.
“Since the charge sheet has been found to be full of distorted and fabricated facts and an attempt has also been made to mislead the court, Director, CBI, is directed to conduct an inquiry against erring officials and take action against them as per law,” the court ordered. Ghosh and three telecom companies — Hutchison Max (P) Ltd, Sterling Cellular Ltd and Bharti Cellular Ltd — were charge sheeted by CBI in the case relating to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) allocating additional spectrum that had allegedly led to a loss of Rs 846.44 crore to the exchequer.
The CBI, in its charge sheet had alleged that Ghosh “deliberately” and with “malafide intention” did not obtain comments of then Member (Finance) of DoT on the issue despite the matter involving huge “financial implications”.
( Source – PTI )
