CBI questions Anil Ambani on dual tech, role in Swan Telecom

New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) The CBI today questioned ADAGchairman Anil Ambani amid allegations that his group receivedfavours from former Telecom Minister A Raja in getting dualtechnology and a role for Reliance Telecom in promoting SwanTelecom.

Ambani, 51, arrived at the CBI headquarters much aheadof the called time of 5 PM and waited at the reception beforehe was quizzed by the agency officials, CBI sources said.

He did not speak to the media before entering the CBIheadquarters for giving clarifications on the possible role ofReliance Telecom Limited (RTL), a subsidary of ADAG, in Swan.

Swan Telecom, in which Tiger Traders Private Limitedhave 90.13 and RTL has 9.87 equity share capital, has beenunder the scanner over alleged diversion of funds to DMK-ownedKalaignar television.

DB Realty group Managing Director Shahid Usman Balwa wasarrested by the CBI earlier this month.

After the appearance of Ambani, the sources said othertop brass of telecom companies including that of Tata TeleServices and Idea would be called for clarification.

According to the CAG, four Companies including RelianceCommunications Ltd were provided CDMA based mobile serviceunder Unified Access Service licence.

Based on the recommendations of TRAI, use of dualtechnology was permitted on October 17, 2007 and RCom isalleged to have applied even before the announcement of thepolicy.

Reliance Communication Ltd. had complied with therequirements for permission to use dual technology on October19 2007 itself by depositing the non refundable entry fee ofRs 1645 crore for 20 service areas through Reliance InfocommLtd.

The CAG had said that acceptance of bank draft fromReliance Infocomm Ltd (third party) on behalf of RelianceCommunications Ltd was not in order and showed the hurrythrough which entry fee was deposited.

In a statement here, ADAG said, "during the course ofhis weekly visit to New Delhi, Ambani "met CBI officials todayto clarify ongoing issues, relating to telecom matters for theyears 2001 to 2010, and virtually every telecom operator inthe country".

It said no summons of any kind have been issued by CBIto Ambani.

The ADAG statement said, "neither Relinace Telecom norRCOM nor any Reliance ADA Group individual, company oraffiliate held even a single share in Swan Telecom Ltd at thetime of grant of the 2G licence to them in january, 2008, orat any time thereafter".