2G: CBI hints at corporate espionage

Shahid Balwa questioned on collusion with prosecutor

Widening its probe into the audio tape controversy, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today summoned 2G accused Shahid Balwa, promoter of DB Realty, to its headquarters for questioning.

CBI will register a case of criminal misconduct if it finds enough evidence to support its case in the ongoing preliminary enquiry. Besides, the investigative agency is apprehensive that more such tapes exist and may surface. A senior CBI official said, “It could be a case of corporate espionage.”

CBI quizzed Balwa on his connection with the alleged conversation between CBI prosecutor and Sanjay Chandra, managing director, Unitech. Balwa was also questioned about any such talk he had with any of the CB I prosecutors including Singh. He arrived at CBI around 4:30 pm and was questioned for over three hours.

The alleged conversation shows that Singh had colluded with Chandra to reveal prosecution strategy. It was in this conversation that Balwa’s name also came up. Singh told Chandra about how he felt Balwa was spoiling the case for himself and everyone else and how he had tried to make him understand things. “Hazaar baar usko (Balwa) samjha chukka hoon,” he says.

Unitech had earlier denied Chandra had held any meeting with Singh.

CBI is yet to get the results of the forensic test of the audio CD. It is also assessing the damage that could have been caused to the ongoing 2G trial because of this collusion.

The content of the tape suggests that Singh was advising Chandra on how to go about the examination of the witnesses. Singh also says how he has kept one of CBI’s key witnesses A K Srivastava, deputy director general, Department of Telecom, quiet.

With reference to the DoT report on the eligibility issue, Singh is heard saying that it can be interpreted in various ways and it will ultimately work in Chandra’s favour.