2G scam probe: CBI examining if Anil Ambani can be chargesheeted

New Delhi:  The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is seeking legal opinion to find out if Anil Ambani can be chargesheeted in the 2G scam case, sources have said.

On Wednesday, the CBI questioned Anil Ambani in connection with his company Reliance Communications being looked at as a beneficiary of 2G spectrum licence. The investigating agency is questioning all telecom players that got licences.

The agency questioned Anil Ambani about Reliance Communications' investment in Swan Telecom. The CBI is also seeking to check if Reliance met all the eligibility norms or if it were favoured by then Telecom Minister A Raja, the sources said.

CBI sources have also told NDTV that A Raja, arrested for his alleged role in the 2G spectrum scam, was confronted with Anil Ambani on Wednesday. The sources added that both Raja and Ambani were questioned together for an hour. They denied any wrongdoing and each stuck to his stand.

Anil Dirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) had issued a statement on Wednesday that Anil Ambani had merely met CBI officials, during a weekly visit to Delhi, to clarify on "ongoing issues."

The statement sought to underscore that, "neither Reliance Telecom, nor RCOM, nor any Reliance ADA Group individual, company or affiliate held even a SINGLE share in Swan Telecom Ltd., at the time of grant of the 2G license 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." 

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had earlier said in a report that Swan Telecom, which got 2G licences, appeared to be acting as a front company for Reliance Telecom, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Reliance Communications or RCom.

As per existing rules, no telecom operator is allowed to hold more than 10 per cent stake in another service provider in the same circle, directly or indirectly. However, in all 13 circles where Swan bagged licences, Reliance was already present. The CAG has calculated that inclusive of preferential shares equivalent to a 0.9 per cent stake, RCom had a 10.71 per cent participating interest in Swan.

Earlier today, Raja was sent to Delhi's Tihar Jail till March 3. Raja will be in judicial custody for the next 14 days. He was arrested by the CBI on February 2 in connection with the 2G spectrum scam. His CBI custody ended today.