Raja''s aide, HFCL MD questioned in connection with 2G scam

New Delhi, Feb 22 (PTI) The CBI today questioned formertelecom minister A Raja''s close aide Sadiq Batcha and HFCLManaging Director Mahendra Nahata in connection with its probein the 2G spectrum case.

Official sources said Nahata of Himachal FuturisticCommunications Limited (HFCL) was questioned with regard toDatacom Services, one of the beneficiaries of 2G spectrumallocation which was awarded to it at 2001 rates.

Nahata allegedly sold 64 per cent of equity in Datacom toVideocon owned by Dhoots, according to the sources. Thecompany Datacom later became Videocon Telecommunications.

The Comptroller and Auditor General in its report hadalleged that while submitting application for 22 licences,Datacom Solutions had made a false claim of the paid-upcapital of Rs 150 crore although documents indicated that theauthorised share capital of the company as Rs one lakh only.

The CBI also questioned Sadiq Batcha here in connectionwith the finances relating to his firms and his allegedproximity to the former telecom minister.

Batcha is the promoter of Green House Promoters, aChennai-based export house, which has come under the scannerof the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in the 2G spectrumcase probe.

The probe agency had conducted searches at his officialpremises late last year.

Sources said the CBI is examining if his firms could haveacted as a front for possible kickbacks in the scam. He headsseveral real estate firms and the agencies are trying to findout any money trail in the scam.

Incidentally, Shahid Balwa, MD of DB Realty, who iscurrently lodged in Tihar Jail, has told the CBI that he knewBatcha for the past few years.