Reliance Tele denies stake in Swan Telecom

Reliance Telecom, one of the accused firms in the 2G case, today told a Delhi court that it did not hold substantial equity in Swan Telecom at the time of grant of spectrum licences.

"No criminal case is made out against Reliance Telecom (RTL) as it held only 9.9% equity in Swan Telecom when the latter was granted spectrum licences," the counsel for Anil Ambani promoted telecom company told Special CBI Judge OP Saini.

The CBI, in its charge sheet, alleged that Reliance Telecom structured Swan Telecom (STPL) as its front company to circumvent the then existing telecom policy which held existing players ineligible for new licences in the same circle.

The Anil Ambani promoted firm was ineligible to get the spectrum as the Department of Telecom (DoT) had debarred the CDMA player from entering into GSM telephony sector, it said.

The counsel for RTL denied CBI's allegation that when DoT allowed use of dual technology, RTL washed its hands off Swan Telecom.

"So far as the guidelines (of DoT) are concerned, they only prohibited an existing telecom company from holding shares in excess of 10% in another telecom company. We held 9.9% stake in Swan telecom and no case is made out against us," the defence lawyer said.

The guidelines did not prohibit Reliance Telecom from funding another telecom company, he said, adding the Reliance group company only held preferential equities in Shahid Balwa promoted Swan Telecom.

"STPL cannot be held as an associate firm of RTL as the latter did not have any say in deciding the board members of STPL," the lawyer said opposing the framing of charges against the firm.

The CBI, in its first charge sheet, alleged that top Reliance ADAG officials--Gautam Doshi, Hari Nair and Surendra Pipara--had conspired with former Telecom Minister A Raja and others.