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India telecoms corruption trial under way | India telecoms corruption trial under way |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The trial in India's biggest corruption scandal has begun in Delhi with the questioning of the first witnesses. | The trial in India's biggest corruption scandal has begun in Delhi with the questioning of the first witnesses. |
The scandal involves the alleged selling of mobile phone frequency licences for a fraction of their value. | The scandal involves the alleged selling of mobile phone frequency licences for a fraction of their value. |
Former telecoms minister A Raja and MP Kanimozhi are among 14 people from telecoms firms or government who have been charged. All deny any wrongdoing. | Former telecoms minister A Raja and MP Kanimozhi are among 14 people from telecoms firms or government who have been charged. All deny any wrongdoing. |
Auditors allege the mis-selling of the licences cost the exchequer nearly $40bn (£24.5bn) in lost revenue. | Auditors allege the mis-selling of the licences cost the exchequer nearly $40bn (£24.5bn) in lost revenue. |
The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says the scandal has gripped the country and deeply embarrassed the government. | |
Lawyers' complaints | Lawyers' complaints |
Last month, the federal Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) framed charges including criminal conspiracy, forgery, accepting bribes and misuse of office. | Last month, the federal Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) framed charges including criminal conspiracy, forgery, accepting bribes and misuse of office. |
The trial, in a special CBI court in the Indian capital, is expected to be long and complex. | The trial, in a special CBI court in the Indian capital, is expected to be long and complex. |
Some 150 witnesses are expected to appear. | |
The trial began with complaints from lawyers that the room was too small to take defendants, lawyers, family members and the press. | |
However, proceedings got under way with the the judge calling the first prosecution witness, Anand Subramaniam, from Reliance Capital, part of the group owned by billionaire businessman, Anil Ambani. | However, proceedings got under way with the the judge calling the first prosecution witness, Anand Subramaniam, from Reliance Capital, part of the group owned by billionaire businessman, Anil Ambani. |
After four hours of questioning, group president of Reliance, AN Sethuraman, was called to testify. | |
Mr Raja is accused of selling mobile phone licences to firms at a fraction of their real value in exchange for bribes in 2008. | Mr Raja is accused of selling mobile phone licences to firms at a fraction of their real value in exchange for bribes in 2008. |
India has the world's fastest growing mobile phone market, with more than 700 million subscribers. | |
Prosecutors say Mr Raja changed the eligibility criteria to favour certain firms. | |
If found guilty, the defendants could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. | If found guilty, the defendants could face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. |
The telecoms scandal has badly damaged the reputation of the government, which has been hit by a series of corruption scandals. | The telecoms scandal has badly damaged the reputation of the government, which has been hit by a series of corruption scandals. |
Our correspondent says that in India legal proceedings can often take years, but with the public outcry over corruption, everyone is hoping that this trial can be resolved relatively quickly. |
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