GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING)

RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 171
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2010)
FIR against DoT Officials

*171. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

(a) Whether CBI has filed an FIR on 21 October, 2009 against unknown DoT officials and private entities/companies/others regarding a criminal conspiracy leading to a loss of Rs. 22,000 crore to the exchequer;

(b) If so, the progress made so far on the investigation, and by when Government expects to complete this investigation and file chargesheets;

(c) The reasons for delay in the investigation, especially as no new facts can now be unearthed other than existing papers/ Government documents/ agreements relating to sale of equity by Private parties;

(d)   Whether the senior officers  leading this investigation have been transferred; and

(e)   If so, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science and Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Earth Sciences; Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office; Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions; and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. (SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAVAN)

(a)    To (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF

RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 171 FOR 05.08.2010

(a)    to (e): Yes, Sir. CBI registered a case RC-45(A)/2009- Delhi on 21.10.2009 U/s 120-B IPC and Section 13(2) r/w Section 13(1) (d) of PC Act 1988 against unknown officials of DOT and unknown officials of companies. CBI has conducted searches in various offices of DOT and in the premises of several private companies in the course of their investigation. As the investigation involves examination of large number of persons and documents related to the alleged conspiracy by unknown DOT officials with some unknown private companies, it is not possible to give a definite time frame for its completion.

There has not been any change in the investigating officer since the beginning of the investigation. A supervisory officer of DIG rank was repatriated to his cadre on 2.4.2010 as he has completed his tenure in the CBI as provided under the rules.