Telenor deal under CBI lens
New Delhi, Nov. 18: The CBI has started its probe into the purchase of 60 per cent equity worth `6,120 crore in an Indian company, which is already under the scanner of the investigating agency, by the Norway-based Telenor Limited in connection with 2G Spectrum scam investigations.
Besides, the Enforcement Directorate, which is also probing 2G Spectrum scam, is reportedly exploring the possibility of issuing a “look-out” notice against Ms Nira Radia, a high profile lobbyist, in connection with the probe.
According to sources, CBI officials have also started probing the “equity interest” of the former telecom minister, Mr A. Raja and other suspects in several private companies, who were in the race of 2G spectrum allotment. The agency is likely to question Mr Raja very soon, sources said, adding that the agency may question Ms Radia also.
“The telephonic surveillance of the suspects by the probe agencies has reportedly revealed that Mr Raja and others too have equity interest in certain private companies, which need to be probed”, sources said.
Role of top officials of the telecom ministry in connection with purchase of 60 per cent equity worth Rs 6,120 crore in an Indian company by the Norway-based Telenor is being probed by the Central agency, sources said.
Sources further said, “The scrutiny of the telephonic conversation of the suspects has revealed that very often a large number of confidential documents and policy papers related to the telecom ministry seemed to reach certain private persons”.
The probe agencies had put six telephone lines under surveillance for 120 days from August 20, 2008, onwards, sources said, adding that the same
telephone lines were again brought under interception for 180 days (From February 1, 2009 to July 2009).
The conversations also hinted that the suspects had either handled and facilitated cross border transfer of funds or had the knowledge of the same, sources said.
Following the reports that certain foreign proceeds were re-routed to India through defunct Indian companies, the probe agency is also looking into the issue.
The CBI has also decided to question certain charted accountants, who were associated with some politicians as well as private telecom companies.
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