2G trial takes new turn, CBI for Anil & Tina Ambani as witness

Injecting a new element in the 2G spectrum allocation case trial, CBI today asked a Delhi court to "summon" Reliance ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani and his wife Tina Ambani as prosecution witnesses to "arrive at the truth" and for a "just decision" in the case.
CBI moved an application in the court saying Anil Ambani, his wife Tina and 15 other persons are required to be examined as witnesses in the case as "some new facts", including some bank documents pertaining to money transaction of Rs 997 crore in October 2007 between DB Group Company and Reliance ADA Group companies, have surfaced.

RADAG's Group company Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL) and Vinod Goenka, Managing Director of the DB Realty Ltd, are accused in the case.
CBI's plea to call Anil Ambani as a witness assumes importance as three top Reliance ADAG executives-- Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair-- are facing trial in the case along with Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka.
The agency had alleged that RTL used Swan Telecom, an ineligible firm, as its front company to get 2G licenses and the costly radio waves.
Special Public Prosecutor U U Lalit told the court that these witnesses are required to be summoned for recording of their statements to ascertain the truth.

After hearing Lalit's arguments, Special CBI Judge O P Saini issued notices to all the 17 accused, including three firms RTL, Swan Telecom and Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd, seeking their responses on July 3 on the agency's plea.
"Issue notices to the accused persons for July 3," the judge said, adding he would decide on July 3 as to whether it would seek a reply from the accused on a separate CBI's plea for recalling Department of Telecommunications (DoT) official Nitin Jain, who has been examined earlier, as a witness.