CBI questions Raja, Balwa links

Feb 12, 2011 - PRAMOD KUMAR |

Age Correspondent

New Delhi

The CBI on Friday confronted Shahid Usman Balwa, MD of DB Realty and a promoter of Swan Telecom, with the former telecom minister A. Raja for the second consecutive day and quizzed them directly in relation to the share-holding pattern of Swan Telecom.

Sources said CBI officials also asked direct questions from the duo about the stakes of the family members of A. Raja in the Swan Telecom, if any. Mr Balwa was also asked direct questions about his links with Sadiq Basha, a close aide of former telecom minister and owner of Chennai-based Green House promoters, sources added.
Sources further said, “The CBI sleuths are also probing the alleged links of Mr Balwa with the underworld, if any”. The Central agencies are also expected to submit before the Delhi high court its findings about Mr Balwa and may contest his claim that he has no links with the underworld. Sources said that the agencies have gathered enough information about Mr Balwa and will submit all its findings before the court and contest his claims of innocence.
Sources added that Mr Raja was asked very specific questions related to the document pertaining to Swan Telecom seized on December 7, 2010, and his role in granting letters of intent for the Unified Access Service licences to certain telecom companies which are under the scanner of the agency. Sources claimed that the confrontation provided certain vital clues to the CBI.

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