Reliance ADA Group Chairman Anil Ambani, his wife Tina and 11 others were today summoned as prosecution witnesses in the 2G spectrum allocation case by a Delhi court.
“I find that examination of these witnesses is necessary for a just decision of the case...,” Special CBI Judge O. P. Saini said adding “the application is allowed in total and all 13 are summoned.”
CBI, in its plea, had sought summoning of Anil Ambani as witness in the case to ascertain the alleged investment of over Rs 990 crore by Reliance ADA Group companies in Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd, facing trial in the case along with its promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka.
The agency had contended that Anil Ambani, who is the Chairman of Reliance ADA Group, will be able to “throw light” on issues of alleged investment by his group companies.
Ambani is required to be examined regarding the decisions on incorporation of the alleged shell companies, special public prosecutor U. U. Lalit had said, adding that although he may not have been a part of the decisions taken on these issues, he would have been aware about these matters.
CBI had said Ambani and his wife had “unrestricted powers” so far as cheque issuing authority is concerned and Tina Ambani had presided over the relevant meetings.
The advocates appearing for the three top executives of Reliance ADAG, who are facing trial in the case, had opposed CBI’s plea saying that the delay on the agency’s part in moving this application shows that it is not genuine.
The defence counsel had argued that the reasons for the delay could be explained but the CBI has not given any explanation regarding this.