2G scam: CBI allowed to quiz Raja for 4 more days

New Delhi, Feb 10: CBI was today allowed by a Delhi court to quiz for four more days in custody former Telecom Minister A Raja to confront him with Shahid Usman Balwa, the promoter of Swan Telecom, to ascertain their alleged roles in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

"Considering the serious nature and facts of the case, further recovery of the documents and the need for further confrontation of the accused with each other and documents as well as their consequent interrogation, I find merit in the submission of the investigating agency seeking grant of four days police custody remand of both the accused", Special CBI Judge O P Saini said.

"Prayer is allowed. Both the accused are remanded to police custody till February 14," the judge said.

The 47-year-old DMK leader, who is being interrogated for seven days in custody by the agency, sought that his counsel be allowed to witness his custodial quizzing.

Balwa, who was arrested in Mumbai, also sought the presence of his lawyer during the interrogation.

The court, however, rejected their plea saying "when any person is arrested and interrogated by the police, he shall be entitled to meet an advocate of his choice during interrogation, though not throughout interrogation".

It, however, allowed the accused to meet their counsel for half an hour twice a day.

During the hearing, CBI sought four days of custodial interrogation of Raja and Balwa, saying it is necessary to unravel the conspiracy.

"Their further sustained custodial interrogation is required and they are also required to be confronted with each other as well as other suspects," CBI said.

Balwa-promoted Swan Telecom was allegedly favoured by the former Telecom Minister in granting UAS licence and the scarce and costly radio waves, CBI submitted.

"It has also come to light that there was a transaction of Rs 214 crore from M/s Cineyug Films private limited to Kalaignar TV in 2009. Kalaignar TV belongs to Sharad Kumar and others who are closly associated with Raja.

The funds were arranged by M/s Cineyug Films from D B Group companies wherein the family members of Balwa are the Directors or shareholders," CBI said in its application.

Seeking extension of Raja''s custody, CBI said he was not divulging the true account of conspiracy including the trail of the money which has been allegedly received from various telecom operators for undue favour in the grant of licenses.

PTI