BeyondHeadlines News Desk
New Delhi: In a new twist to the 2G spectrum allocation controversy, Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Balwa – a co-accused in the case- has expressed his desire to depose before the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probing the matter, reports claimed Wednesday.
Shahid Usman Balwa is said to have written a letter to the JPC seeking permission to depose before the panel and testify in connection with the high profile case.
“In the interest of the investigation, I should be called to depose before the JPC. I request you (JPC) to consider my request to depose before the panel at the earliest and at a time of your convenience,” Balwa was quoted as saying in the letter.
Balwa’s testimony is likely to complicate things for the Congress-led UPA government, which is already fighting to control the damage caused due to the scam, which as per the Comptroller and Auditor General of India caused a loss of Rs 1.77 lakhs crore to the exchequer.
As per other reports, Balwa may turn approver in the spectrum scam case , which may lead to the revealing of new names in the case.
Shahid Balwa, director of DB Realty, had floated Swan Telecom, which was a beneficiary of 2G spectrum allocation. It is alleged that Balwa, due to his proximity to then telecom minister A Raja, managed to win 13 of the 22 2G licences across India.
On May 24, a special CBI court rejected the bail plea of Shahid Balwa.
Special CBI Judge O P Saini, exclusively dealing with the 2G case, also dismissed the bail pleas of Balwa’s cousin, Asif Balwa and Rajeev Aggarwal, accused of facilitating Rs 200 crore bribe to Kalaignar TV in which DMK MP Kanimozhi holds 20 percent share.
Asif Balwa and Rajeev Agarwal are directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd in which Shahid Balwa also holds a stake.
Shahid Balwa is currently lodged in Tihar Jail along with A Raja and other accused.
BeyondHeadlines News Desk
New Delhi: A Delhi court today dismissed the bail pleas of Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, his cousin Asif Balwa and their associate Rajeev Agarwal in the 2G spectrum allocation case.
“All the three bail pleas are dismissed,” Special CBI Judge O P Saini said.
Asif and Rajeev are the directors of DB Realty group firm — Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd which was allegedly used in a “circuitous manner” for transfer of Rs 200 crore as a kickback to DMK-run Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd.
They are accused of playing key roles in the transfer of Rs 200 crore bribe to Kalaignar TV through various firms promoted by Shahid Usman Balwa.
Shahid was arrested on February 8 while Asif and Rajeev were arrested by the CBI on March 29 and they are currently in Tihar Jail.
Rajeev is also the director of Conwood Constructions and Developers Pvt Ltd (a partner of Dynamix Realty).
Shahid allegedly is direct beneficiary of the 2G spectrum allocation scam with his firm Swan Telecom having been alloted the spectrum licence as per a criminal conspiracy hatched by him along with former Telecom Minister A Raja and others.
While opposing the bail pleas of the trio, Special Public Prosecutor U U Lalit had submitted that Dynamix Realty acquired 49 per cent shares in Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd (held by co-accused Karim Morani) only subsequent to the transfer of the bribe money and they all were the umbrella companies of DB Realty.
He had also rebutted the submission of the defence that the alleged “illegal gratification” of Rs 200 crore was actually for the shares of Kalaignar TV and the same was called back after the valuation of the share was higher than assessed and Rs 200 crore would not have fetched good shares.
(With PTI inputs)
BeyondHeadlines News Desk
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Asif Balwa, the brother of Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Balwa, in connection with the 2G spectrum scam today.
Swan Telecom, one of the beneficiaries of the 2G scam, is alleged to be a front company for Anil Ambani owned Reliance Communications.
Shahid Balwa was arrested by the CBI on February 8 in connection with 2G spectrum scam.