2G: Telecom head honchos quizzed by CBI

Continuing its probe in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation questioned two top telecom honchos besides close aides of former Telecom Minister A Raja, including his brother Kalia Perumal.

The agency quizzed chief executive officer of Loop Telecom Sandip Basu and chairman of Sistema Shyam Teleservices Rajiv Mehrotra in connection with the scam, official sources said.

Basu, who arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, was questioned in detail about his company, investments, financial dealings and relations with several big corporates of the country. He was also confronted with several documents seized during searches conducted by the CBI. His company Loop had got licenses for 21 circles when the spectrum was allocated during the first stint of jailed former Telecom Minister Raja between September 2007-January2008, they said.

Mehrotra,

who came after Basu, was also confronted withseveral documents. A joint venture between India's Shyam group and Russian giant Sistema, Sistema-Shyam is the only new telecom operator which is offering CDMA based services across the country. It is alleged that undue haste was shown in issuing in principle approval for use of GSM technology to the company in one circle, the sources said.

During the day, the CBI also questioned Kalia Perumal, brother of A Raja. The CBI officials questioned Raja's close aide Sadiq Batcha in connection with the finances relating to his firms and his alleged proximity to the former telecom minister. Batcha is the promoter of Green House Promoters, a Chennai-based export house, which has come under the scanner of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate in the 2G spectrum case. The probe agency had conducted searches at his official premises late last year.