Anil Ambani quizzed by CBI on Swan links
New Delhi: ADAG chief Anil Ambani appeared before CBI officers on Wednesday to clarify his position on allegations that Swan Telecom, which was granted 2G licence by former telecom minister A Raja, was his front company. The meeting at the CBI headquarters here lasted about three hours.
Even as the meeting was going on and networks were buzzing about his being “summoned” in connection with the 2G scam, ADAG officials clarified that the industrialist had met the investigators only to “clarify ongoing issues”. Asked what would be the appropriate word to describe the meeting, officials
Even as the meeting was going on and networks were buzzing about his being “summoned” in connection with the 2G scam, ADAG officials clarified that the industrialist had met the investigators only to “clarify ongoing issues”. Asked what would be the appropriate word to describe the meeting, officials
said Anil Ambani was “examined” by the CBI.The CAG report on the controversial 2G allocation had said that “Swan Telecom while applying for UAS licences in 13 service areas was acting as a front company on behalf of RTL (Reliance Telecom) and their application was in effect against the intent and spirit of the UAS licensing guidelines.”
ADAG officials, however, said: “Neither Reliance Telecom, nor RCOM, nor any Reliance ADA Group individual, company or affiliate held even a single share in Swan Telecom at the time of grant of the 2G licence to them in January 2008, or at any time thereafter. Neither Reliance Telecom, nor RCOM, nor any Reliance ADA Group individual, company or affiliate has obtained any monetary gain or other benefit, directly or indirectly, from the grant of 2G license to Swan Telecom in January 2008.”
Ambani’s appearance at the CBI headquarters came close on the heels of executives of Tiger Traders Pvt Ltd, one of the original shareholders of Swan Telecom, being questioned by sleuths on the firm’s sources of funds and its links with the Anil Ambani group. Enforcement Directorate has also sent summons to Tiger Traders brass to appear for questioning this month.
A senior CBI officer said, “Anil Ambani has given answers to all our questions. He has said that Reliance had only 9.9% equity in Swan Telecom before Swan applied for new licence for 2G spectrum.” ADAG officials said Anil Ambani comes to Delhi every Wednesday. They claimed that they had informed the CBI that he was in town to provide any clarifications required. A CBI official said Ambani was called up in the morning. “He immediately agreed to join us and reached here around 4 pm. He was present at the headquarters till around 7 pm,” CBI officials said.
The industrialist arrived at the CBI headquarters in a Honda Accord car, but left through the back gate in an Ambassador car to avoid the media.
Apart from Ambani, CBI also questioned Sandeep Basu of Loop Telecom and senior DoT official A K Srivastava on Wednesday.
Ambani’s appearance at the CBI headquarters came close on the heels of executives of Tiger Traders Pvt Ltd, one of the original shareholders of Swan Telecom, being questioned by sleuths on the firm’s sources of funds and its links with the Anil Ambani group. Enforcement Directorate has also sent summons to Tiger Traders brass to appear for questioning this month.
A senior CBI officer said, “Anil Ambani has given answers to all our questions. He has said that Reliance had only 9.9% equity in Swan Telecom before Swan applied for new licence for 2G spectrum.” ADAG officials said Anil Ambani comes to Delhi every Wednesday. They claimed that they had informed the CBI that he was in town to provide any clarifications required. A CBI official said Ambani was called up in the morning. “He immediately agreed to join us and reached here around 4 pm. He was present at the headquarters till around 7 pm,” CBI officials said.
The industrialist arrived at the CBI headquarters in a Honda Accord car, but left through the back gate in an Ambassador car to avoid the media.
Apart from Ambani, CBI also questioned Sandeep Basu of Loop Telecom and senior DoT official A K Srivastava on Wednesday.
Anil Ambani at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday
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