Reliance ADAG officials under CBI scanner

Investigators have questioned more than half a dozen officials of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) in connection with the probe into 2G spectrum scam. The questioning took place in Delhi and Mumbai.

Investigators have questioned more than half a dozen officials of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) in connection with the probe into 2G spectrum scam. The questioning took place in Delhi and Mumbai.

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A Reliance ADAG spokesperson while confirming the development said, “The CBI is reportedly examining a large number of telecom companies and their officials over the past several weeks, in relation to various matters relating to the years 2001 to 2008. As part of this process, the probe agency has also examined a few officials of Reliance ADA Group, and we are fully co-operating with the authorities in this regard."

According to a document submitted in court by Swan Telecom (now Etisalat DB) promoter and accused in the scam Shahid Balwa, the CBI team questioned more than half a dozen officials of Reliance ADAG between January 11 and 17 in Mumbai. The document also claims that Balwa went out of his way to liaise with the Reliance ADAG and ‘formulated the interrogation of Reliance executives during their (the CBI's team) camp in Mumbai.'

The document further states that he 'coordinated on the request of the CBI for interrogation of some Reliance management team and other in Delhi ' on February 2. He also claimed that M Vishwanathan of Reliance attended the questioning session that took place in the probe agency's headquarter in CGO complex here.

According to sources, Swan's changing shareholding structure is under scanner. Balwa is in CBI custody till February 14. Balwa is being questioned about his dealings with the Reliance Telecom (part of ADAG) and the circumstance leading to his takeover of Tiger Trustee Private Limited — holding company of Swan Telecom.

According to sources, Balwa was called for questioning many times but was not giving proper answers and so he was arrested. Sources also said that he was not the only operator under scanner and all 122 UAS licenses allotted were part of the probe.