The CBI on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it is looking into the alleged role of Mr Anil Ambani in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation case.
The CBI counsel, Mr K.K. Venugopal, said this in response to the allegation by advocate Mr Prashant Bhushan that Mr Anil Ambani — Chairman, Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (R-ADAG) — was one of the real beneficiaries of the 2G spectrum allocation and that the CBI was not probing his role.
Mr Venugopal said the CBI was probing to find out the real beneficiaries of the 9.9 per cent stake sale of Swan Telecom – an accused in the 2G case – by Reliance Telecom to Delphi Investment at a throw-away price. In this regard, Letter Rogatory has been sent to Switzerland, he said.
Mr Bhushan, representing the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (an NGO and the petitioner in the 2G case), had alleged that Swan Telecom was created out of funds arranged from the R-ADAG-controlled Reliance Telecom to apply for licences in 13 circles where it did not have GSM spectrum in 2007.
He had also alleged that the three accused in the 2G case belonging to R-ADAG — Mr Gautam Doshi, Mr Hari Nair, and Mr Surendra Pipara – “are just the professional employees of the R-ADAG, and are not the beneficiaries of this scam'. During a bail plea, these persons had reportedly said that they are ‘mere employees' and did not make any financial gains, the CBI said. They had also said that they had nothing to do with the stake sale to Delphi, the agency added.
Mr Venugopal said if these three accused turn approver, the CBI might be able to find out the real beneficiaries of the stake sale of Swan Telecom.
A Reliance Telecom spokesperson stated, "None of the 3 Reliance executives charge-sheeted by CBI have at any stage till date expressed any desire to become approvers. The distorted media reporting on this issue is a very serious matter and will be acted upon."
"It is reiterated neither Reliance Telecom nor the promoters are beneficiaries of any telecom licences issued in January 2008."
‘DONATIONS' TO KANIMOZHI'S NGO
He said the CBI is also investigating the alleged donations made by Reliance, Tata and other telecom companies to an NGO of DMK MP Ms Kanimozhi, an accused in the 2G case. These ‘donations' – allegedly made on January 7, 2008 — appear to be suspicious in view of the timing (as it came just prior to the issuance of Letters of Intent on January 10, 2008), the CBI said.
However, Mr Venugopal said the CBI has not found any illegalities against the Tata Group or Datacom (promoted by the Dhoots of Videocon).