2G spectrum case: Vahanvati had cleared Swan Telecom

A key prosecution witness today told a Delhi court that G E Vahanvati as Solicitor General had opined in 2009 that Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd STPL,which is now an accused in the 2G spectrum case,had "fulfilled all the necessary conditions" for licences.

A key prosecution witness today told a Delhi court that G E Vahanvati as Solicitor General had opined in 2009 that Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd STPL,which is now an accused in the 2G spectrum case,had 8220;fulfilled all the necessary conditions8221; for licences.

A K Srivastava,who retired as Deputy Director General DDG Access Services from the Department of Telecom DoT,said that the department had received complaints against STPL from two Member of Parliaments MP which were forwarded by the Prime Minister8217;s office PMO.

He said the complaints were regarding alleged violation of clause 8 of the Unified Access Services Licence UASL guidelines by STPL.

Srivastava said that after receiving the complaints,top DoT official,including former Telecom Minister A Raja and then Telecom Secretary Siddharth Behura,had agreed that the file should be sent to then Solicitor General SG Vahanvati for his advise. Vahanvati has been arrayed as a prosecution witness in the 2G case.

8220;The STPL8217;s file was received in the office of Chairman,Telecom Commission,who is also secretary telecom,on March 27,2009 with the note of SG dated March 24-25,2009.

8220;I identify the signature of G E Vahanwati8230;and his note,running into three pages8230;wherein he recorded that 8216;the file shows that there has been a full consideration of all relevant material and the conclusion that the applicant fulfilled all the necessary conditions cannot really be faulted8217;,8221; he told Special CBI Judge O P Saini.

According to the CBI,as per clause 8 of UASL guidelines,8221;No single company or legal person,either directly or through its associates,shall have 10 per cent or more equity holding in more than one licensee company in the same service area for the same service.8221;

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The CBI,in its charge sheet,had said that Shahid Balwa promoted STPL was acting as a front company for Reliance ADAG.