CBI director deposes before JPC on 2G spectrum scam

Central Bureau of Investigation Director A P Singh today informed the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probing the 2G spectrum scam that lobbyist Niira Radia will be made a prosecution witness.

The CBI boss also told the committee that the agency did not find any criminal evidence against her so far. Radia will be among 100 witnesses CBI plans to line up before the court on the 2G spectrum case.

In the meeting today, the CBI chief was asked to depose and appraise the JPC about the allocation and pricing of telecom licences and spectrum during 1998 to 2009. But Singh faced strong resistance from DMK’s T R Baalu when he tried to discuss Dayanidhi Maran’s role as telecom minister. Balu objected to Singh’s observations and questioned why he was naming Maran before the committee.

Sources in the JPC, however, said that Maran’s role will be discussed at a later stage and he might be summoned by the committee. On Wednesday, Enforcement Directorate and Telecom Regulatory Authority of India officials will depose before the committee.

While the JPC is trying to quickly proceed with its probe into the 2G scam, the sub-judice case is becoming a major stumbling block for the members. “Testimony of critical witnesses, like Shahid Balwa and A Raja, is becoming extremely difficult. Even the CBI chief did not speak much on many issues and frequently cited the ongoing case as the reason for not revealing much. The CBI chief said that revealing information may hamper the case,” said a member.

The JPC is likely to call former telecom ministers since 1998. The panel has finalised a list of 85 witnesses, who would be asked to depose before the committee on various aspects of the telecom policy.