2G scam: ED summons Airtel, Vodafone top brass

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned top brass of Vodafone and Bharti Airtel in connection with alleged irregularities in the grant of additional 2G spectrum during 2001-03. Continuing its probe into telecom spectrum scam, the ED had registered case, pertaining to the allocation of spectrum during the NDA regime. Click here for Cloud Computing Also Read Related Stories News Now - Telcos Q3 gross revenue dips 1.16% to Rs 49,365 cr - Airtel follows up Kolkata 4G launch with frenzied awareness drive - Qualcomm waiting for BWA spectrum - Today's picks - Kanika Datta: Small change, big deal - 4G story: Why Bharti may fail to make waves It has named former telecom secretary Shyamal Ghosh, then deputy director general JR Gupta and few telecom companies for alleged irregularities in the grant of additional 2G spectrum during 2001-03, sources said. The ED has now summoned senior officials of Vodafone and Bharti Airtel for questioning next week, they said. They said the notice does not specify any particular officer by name and has been issued to managing directors of the companies or their authorised representatives. When contacted, Vodafone spokesperson refused to comment on the matter while Bharti Airtel officials were not immediately available for comments. The CBI is also probing the 2G spectrum allocation during the NDA regime when late Pramod Mahajan was telecom minister. In its FIR, the CBI had alleged there was a loss of Rs 508 crore to the state exchequer during 2001-07. The ED is probing any alleged violation of the prevention of money laundering law in the spectrum allocation.