Former Indian telecom minister arrested

Lily

B.R
Staff member
New Delhi: Former telecom minister A. Raja and two of his close associates were yesterday arrested for their alleged role in the multi-billion telecom scam.

Raja was taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is expected to produce him before a court today to seek a remand.

Raja was forced to quit as the Indian telecom minister in November last year following an uproar over his role in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, which the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said cost the nation approximately $40 billion in revenues.

Raja belongs to Tamil Nadu's ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, an ally of the central government.

Former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura and Raja's personal secretary R.K. Chandolia were also taken into CBI custody.

In its First Information Report, the CBI has accused the three of causing a Rs22 billion loss to the exchequer and amassing wealth beyond their known sources of income.

Raja was arrested yesterday after he went to the CBI headquarters for the fourth round of questioning in the scam.

 
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