ED to question lobbyist Niira radia in 2g scam

Lobbyist and Public Relations personality Niira Radia is likely to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday for questioning on her alleged role in the multi-crore 2G spectrum scam.

Lobbyist and Public Relations personality Niira Radia is likely to appear before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday for questioning on her alleged role in the multi-crore 2G spectrum scam.

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The ED move comes after Radia's written replies to a questionnaire sent to her by the Directorate were unsatisfactory.

Summons have been issued to her under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, seeking details of her bank accounts, ED sources said.

Officials dealing with the case felt that replies furnished by Radia did not explain all the transactions carried out in recent years in her name.

The ED action comes three days before the government is to inform the Supreme Court about the progress of investigations in the 2G spectrum scam, which according to the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has cost the nation an estimated loss of R1.40 lakh crore.

The ED has sought funding details of four companies either owned by Radia or in which she has substantial amount of investments.

In her reply, Radia is learnt to have pointed out that there was no wrongdoing on her part, nor has any case been registered against her. She has also denied any involvement in the 2G deal.

Radia's name was first linked to the scam after audio tapes containing her alleged conversations with politicians, businessmen and journalists surfaced in April. The tapes also contained her conversations with Telecom Minister A. Raja about licences and spectrum allocation for at least four mobile operators. The conversations surfaced as the Income Tax department had tapped her phone.