The trial for India’s biggest corruption scam begins today in New Delhi. The scandal involves Former telecoms minister A Raja and MP Kanimozhi, who are among the 14 other people from telecoms firms or government who have been charged. The allegation raised is that mobile phone frequencies which costs 1000’s have been sold at a fraction of their cost to private corporate. However, the accused 16, denies any wrong doing from their part. The proceeding initiated by calling upon the first witness, Anand Subramaniam, from Reliance Capital, part of the group owned by billionaire businessman, Anil Ambani.

Former telecom minister, Mr. Raja is accused of selling mobile phone licences to firms at a fraction of their real value in exchange for bribes in 2008. It is alleged that he changed the eligibility criteria considerably to fit in the desired people. The maximum penalty that can be attached to this case, if found guilty, is of life imprisonment.

From the beginning, media person have been observing the trend of the Congress Ministry under Dr. Manmohan Singh. It is considered that they have been struggling with corruption allegations from the very beginning itself. However this telecom scam, which is regarded to be the biggest spam ever, will lower the reputation of the government considerably.

Telecom corruption trial begins

Report by Anupama