Allowing the CBI’s plea that examination of Reliance ADA Group chairman Anil Ambani and his wife Tina Ambani is essential for a just decision in the 2G case, a special court here on Friday summoned the couple, along with 11 others, as prosecution witnesses.
The agency had not cited the Ambanis and others as prosecution witnesses in the charge sheet, and hence they were not summoned earlier. But the CBI decided to summon them when it found, during the trial, that the witnesses already examined were unable to give replies to crucial questions on incorporation of shell companies and certain investments/divestments made by them.
“Being the head of Reliance ADA group, his [Mr. Ambani’s] testimony is required to depose as to who was responsible for incorporation of shell companies, including Swan Telecom Limited, Tiger Traders Limited, Zebra Consultants Limited, Parrot Consultants Limited and Giraffe Consultancy Services Limited,” the CBI counsel said.
It was required for another reason also: to know about the corporate structuring of Swan Telecom, investments/divestments in/out of Swan Telecom by Reliance Telecom, Reliance Communications, Vikata Engineering Services and other Reliance ADA group companies and related firms, and the decision to apply for UAS licences on behalf of Swan Telecom.
