Swan-Rcom links under CBI scanner

14 Feb 2011

The Central Bureau of Investigation is probing links between Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group officials and Swan entities in connection with the 2G spectrum scam. According to a CNBC-TV report citing sources, the CBI has questioned ADAG employees in this regard, says the report.

However, in a statement, Reliance Communications has issued a clarification denying links with Swan Telecom.

Sources add that CBI has questioned persons who were directors and executives of Swan Telecom prior to the DB Realty deal. The directors of Swan Telecom from 22 January 2007 were Anand Bhatt, Ashok Wadhwa and Surendra Pipara.

However, Bhatt was killed in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, while Nilesh Doshi and Sunil Doshi had replaced Karyekar and Rathod.

Syed Safawi, chief executive officer, wireless business, Reliance Communication clarified, ''RCom has not violated any of its license conditions at any stage on account of crossholdings of 10 per cent or above in any other license.'' 

He added that RCom held only 9.9 per cent in Swan Telecom in March 2007 and grant of dual technology in 2007 was upheld by the Delhi high court in 2008 and by telecom tribunal TDSAT in 2009. The company has also said that ADAG has not made any gains from the grant of 2G licence to Swan.