The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday questioned the former Telecom Minister, A. Raja's close aide Sadiq Batcha in connection with its probe into the 2G spectrum scam.
Official sources said Mr. Batcha was questioned at the CBI office here on the finances of his firms and his alleged proximity to Mr. Raja, who is now lodged in the Central Tihar jail here.
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Mr. Batcha's Green House Promoters, a Chennai-based export house, is under the radar of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate. Informed sources indicated that his firms might have acted as a front for possible kickbacks in the 2G scam. Mr. Batcha heads several real estate firms.
Shahid Balwa, managing director of D.B. Realty, who is lodged in the Tihar jail, has reportedly admitted to having known Mr. Batcha for the past few years.
In another development, Kalia Perumal, a businessman and brother of Mr. Raja, was questioned for over three hours by the ED. Earlier, he was questioned by the CBI.
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The sources said the investigating teams were trying to ascertain if his companies acted as a front for Mr. Raja's financial dealings.
The ED has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the spectrum scam.