Faces of the 2G spectrum scam

Photographs: Reuters

The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to five corporate executives in 2G spectrum case and directed the release of accused on bail on furnishing two sureties of Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000) each.

This is the first time bail has been granted in the 2G spectrum scam.

Unitech's managing director Sanjay Chandra, Swan Telecom's director Vinod Goenka, Reliance ADAG officials Gautam Doshi, Hari Nair and Surendra Pipara were in Tihar jail for over six months.

Vinod Goenka has been charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating, abetment of illegal gratification and forgery, while Sanjay Chandra is charged with criminal conspiracy for criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, accepting bribe/illegal gratification and misuse of office.

Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group managing director Gautam Doshi, Reliance Communications senior vice president Surendra Pipara and Reliance ADAG senior vice president Hari Nair have been charged with cheating, abetment to cheating and criminal conspiracy.

Unitech was granted 2G spectrum licence circumventing norms.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also alleged that after getting the licences, Unitech and co-accused Swan Telecom had sold their equity to foreign companies much before beginning to roll out of their services, making huge profits.

Image: An aide tries to prevent photographs from being taken of Sanjay Chandra (c), managing director of Telenor's India partner Unitech, as he leaves a court in New Delhi.

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