2G scam: CBI set to chargesheet Raja, associates

The Central Bureau of Investigation is almost ready with its first chargesheet in the 2G scam, which is expected likely to name former telecom minister A Raja, Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura and Raja's former private secretary R K Chandolia.

According to reports emanating from CBI sources, the chargesheet will also name DMK-backed Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar and at least two companies - Swan Telecom and Unitech. 

Official sources said the CBI would meet the deadline set by the Supreme Court and file the first chargesheet before 31 March. However, The agency will not present the chargesheet itself to the Supreme Court, but will instead file a status report on 29 March, ''broadly'' covering its contents. 

The Supreme Court is monitoring CBI investigation into the arbitrary allocation of 2G spectrum to chosen companies in 2008, which according to the Comptroller & Auditor General may have caused a loss of up to Rs176,000 crore to the exchequer. 

Official sources said the first chargesheet would focus around the criminal conspiracy to doctor eligibility and alter the first-come first-served policy. 

The chargesheet would also include charges of forgery and cheating.