CBI sleuths to grill businessman with links to head of a regional political party

If the roots of the Rs 1.76 lakh crore 2G spectrum scam lay in Chennai, its offshoots have surely spread to Mumbai.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is all set to grill a local businessman who may have worked as a front for an influential political leader heading a regional party in the state.

CBI sleuths have made a questionnaire to corroborate statements made by A Raja soon after the former communications minister was remanded in custody yesterday afternoon.

It may be months before a watertight case is presented by the prosecution. Documents recovered from Raja's premises in the past few weeks indicate they may have to question then external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

In a letter (a copy of which is with MiD DAY) to the Prime Minister on December 26, 2007, Raja had mentioned that he had discussed serious issues subscriber-based criteria for additional spectrum to existing operators, dual technology and new licences with the then external affairs minister.
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The Prime Minister, in his reply on January 3, 2008, had acknowledged that he was aware of the developments.

The sleuths are also tracking a hawala transaction to find out how Rs 209 crore reached a television channel in Tamil Nadu. The recipient is a regional party MP from Raja's home state.

The CBI has drawn a long list of officials who are likely to be questioned in the next few weeks.

Some of them include senior members from Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC), Telecom Dispute Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) and officials from the department of telecommunication.

CBI spokesperson A Mohanti could not be contacted despite repeated efforts.