Subramanyam Used Own Mobile During Probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in its remand application before the court of special judge S R Mehra, has stated that the former Unit Trust of India (UTI) chairman P S Subramanyam had admitted to the use of a personal mobile phone during his custodial interrogation.

The call details of this phone had been requisitioned from the cellphone company, the investigating agency said.

the CBI had said, "The particulars of the phone were not disclosed voluntarily, but as a sequel to examination of some important witnesses and after sustained interrogation."

The CBI has said that so far the cellphone has provided the particulars of the subscriber, which happens to be in the name of one "Mr Darji" and who has been evading appearance before the investigating officer since August 4, 2001.

The CBI had requested for further custody of Subramanyam to "ascertain information available in call details of his personal mobile" and "to prevent him from hampering the verification of information revealed by him and his co-accused during custodial interrogation."

Subramanyam's clandestine telephone calls have already raised a furore in the Parliament.

A few days ago, Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Sanjay Nirupam, revealed that Subramanyam had made a few calls to the Prime Minister's office.

Nirupam had demanded that the prime minister's office clarify whether these calls had any connections with the Cyberspace deal.

Earlier on Tuesday, Subramanyam, UTI executive directors M M Kapur and S K Basu, and stockbroker Rakesh Mehta, who were accused of financial wrongdoing in regard to the Cyberspace Infosys private placement deal, were today granted bail by special judge Mehra.

Subramanyam, Basu and Kapoor were granted a bail of Rs 150,000 and a surety of like amount, whereas Rakesh Mehta was granted bail of Rs 300,000 and a surety of like amount.

Cyberspace director Arvind Johari was, however, not granted bail and was remanded to judicial custody till August 14.

The UTI officials were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on July 21, along with stockbroker Rakesh Mehta and were charged with causing a wrongful loss of Rs 32 crore due to the Cyberspace deal.

On Tuesday, special judge Mehra also passed strictures against jail authorities for failing to produce the accused in the court at the scheduled hour of 11 am.

The accused were finally produced in court at 4 pm. The judge came down heavily on the authorities and warned against any delay or default in producing the accused in his court in future.