The Enforcement Directorate, which reportedly issued summons to nine more private telecom companies on Thursday, is now planning to send summons to former telecom minister A. Raja for questioning in connection with its probe into 2G spectrum scam.
According to sources, the Central probe agency, which recorded the statement of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia on Wednesday, has decided to call certain top ranking officials of the department of telecommunication (DoT) for questioning in a day or two.
Initially, serving top officials of the DoT will be questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, sources said, adding that the directorate is likely to issue summons to them on Friday.
The Enforcement Directorate has already registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against unknown officials of the DoT and unknown private companies in connection with the award of new telecom licences in 2008. The CBI has also registered a case saying there was a large scale corruption in the allocation of 2G radio spectrum licences in 2009.
Sources said, “Summons have been issued to those private companies who were in the race for 2G allotment. All nine companies have been asked to submit their financial records to the ED.”
However, it could not be confirmed as to which particular telecom firms have been issued the summons.
“Questioning of some DoT officials will also start very soon. The ED is expected to issue summons to DoT officials on Friday. The Directorate has also decided to question former Union minister A. Raja and summons in this regard is likely to be issued soon,” sources said.
Some senior DoT officers allegedly granted unified access services licenses to a few selected companies at nominal rate by rejecting the applications of the others without any valid reasons thereby causing wrongful loss to the government and corresponding wrongful gain to private persons or companies.
Meanwhile, the CBI is planning to question Ms Niira Radia, who was questioned by the ED on Wednesday, in connection with its probe into 2G spectrum scam, sources said.
The licenses were awarded to certain companies by putting a cap on the number of applicants against the recommendations of the Trai, sources added.
The ED has also written a letter to the CBI requesting transfer of certain documents, which were collected by the latter during raids and questioning of private telecom companies. The ED needs certain documents, which are in the possession of the CBI, to verify the facts, sources said.
Meanwhile, the CBI is planning to question Ms. Radia, who was questioned by the ED on Wednesday, in connection with its probe into 2G spectrum scam, sources said.
(EOM)