CBI receives jolt in bid to close Rs 800-cr telecom fraud

New Delhi, Oct 4 (PTI) CBI's bid to close an alleged
telecom fraud case to the tune of Rs 800 crore against 19
people, including the then CMD of MTNL, received a jolt as a
Delhi court has allowed a petition, which opposes the move.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini allowed the secretary of NGO
'Telecom Watchdog' to contest the closure of the case by the
probe agency.

The judge held that Anil Kumar, secretary of the NGO, who
has filed the objection in his personal capacity, has a "locus
standi" and may file his opposition to the agency's report
favouring closure of investigation.

The court has now fixed the matter for further hearing
on October 5.

The alleged fraud relates to payments made against tender
agreement with M/s Motorola India Ltd for establishing of
CDMA-based WLL service (commonly known as "Garuda") for the
state-owned MTNL.

In 1999, MTNL invited tender for its limited mobile
services for 150,000 lines, to be implemented in three phases.
Motorola was allegedly paid money at the behest telecom
officials despite several deficiencies in the project.

Earlier, CBI had allegedly favoured prosecution of 19
people, including MTNL's then CMD RSP Sinha, P Singh,
former general manager of MTNL and the country head of
Motorola. PTI SJK
JVN