Radia role to be probed, report latest by March: CBI

Asserting that the role of lobbyist Niira Radia in the 2G spectrum scam would be examined, the CBI on Monday told the Supreme Court that the probe would be completed latest by March 2011.

Asserting that the role of lobbyist Niira Radia in the 2G spectrum scam would be examined, the CBI on Monday told the Supreme Court that the probe would be completed latest by March 2011.

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Advocate KK Venugopal, who has been engaged by the probe agency, told a bench headed by justice GS Singhvi that the CBI wind up the investigation in two months and would take a one month more to file the chargesheet.

“We are investigating the offences and for each charge there has to be evidence and documents,” he said, adding, the CBI was examining transcripts relating to 5,000 calls (out of which 3,800 have been analysed), 6,000 files and documents running into 80,000 pages.

Venugopal also handed over to the court the CBI’s affidavit that said the irregularities in the case were of “enormous magnitude” having international ramifications and the CBI would call Radia at an appropriate time after verifying and cross-checking the matter disclosed in tapes. “The investigation is not merely confined to India alone,” it added.

Media rapped

The Supreme Court also expressed displeasure over the “misreporting” of its proceedings in the scam by the media, saying an attempt was being made to run down the highest political office of the country.

“The Prime Minister’s role is being dragged unnecessarily. Everyone has his reputation,” said the bench, that had demanded an affidavit from the PMO explaining the alleged lapses on the part of the PM in deciding a plea to sanction prosecution of then telecom minister A Raja.