ED quizzes Radia, lobbyist unfazed

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday quizzed corporate lobbyist Niira Radia on her dealings with former telecom minister A Raja and a few telecom operators who were allotted the 2G spectrum when Raja was heading the ministry.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday quizzed corporate lobbyist Niira Radia on her dealings with former telecom minister A Raja and a few telecom operators who were allotted the 2G spectrum when Raja was heading the ministry.

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According to sources, Radia wrote her own statement in the case, which ran into almost 20 pages.

The statement was recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act that makes it evidence in the court of law.

Radia reached the ED office at 9.30 am and left at 5.30 pm.

Sources said the questioning started with her background and career graph, which skyrocketed in the last few years. Then the investigators asked her about her firms - Vaishnavi Corporate Communications, Noesis Strategic Consulting Services, Vitcom Consulting and Neucom Consulting. - when they were founded and who the sharesholders were.

She was asked to explain financial dealings and her dealings with Raja. Sources say she admitted meeting Raja on behalf of at least one client. ED officials asked her to explain her relationship with two particular telecom operators who were awarded 2G spectrum by the telecom department (DOT) under Raja.

After the questioning, Radia said there was a media frenzy about her, but she was very much available to probe agencies and cooperating with them. "I also want to add that we are fully transparent," she added.