Have not changed statement to save myself: Former telecom secretary

New Delhi April 20 (IANS) Former telecom secretary D.S. Mathur Friday told a special Delhi court hearing the 2G case that he has not changed his statement given to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to save himself from this case.

'It is wrong to suggest that I improved my version in subsequent statements made to the investigating officer (IO) because by that time, (former communications minister) A. Raja, (former telecom secretary) Sidharath Behura and (Raja's personal secretary) R.K. Chandolia were arrested and I wanted to save myself,' Mathur told special CBI judge O.P. Saini.

Mathur accepted Chandolia's submission made by his counsel Vijay Aggarwal that he appeared before Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for making statement in 2G case.

Mathur told court that he was not called by the committee headed By Justice Shivraj Patil who is also taking note on the process for issuance of 2G licenses and allocation of spectrum during the period 2001-2009.

According to the government auditor, the 2G spectrum allocation case pertained to biased distribution of mobile airwaves and operating licences, in lieu of kickbacks to telecom firms that could have cost the treasury up to Rs.1.76 lakh crore in lost revenue.

Nineteen individuals and six companies are accused in the case. Except for Raja and Behura, all other arrested accused have been released on bail.