ED questions Raja’s brother in 2G scam case

NEW DELHI - The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday questioned Kalia Perumal, the brother of arrested former Telecom Minster A Raja for over three hours in connection with its probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam.

It has been reported that the Enforcement Directorate summoned Perumal, a businessman at its office today for his statement regarding the financial dealings of some of the firms, which he controlled.

The Enforcement Directorate also 47-year-old Raja’s close aide Sadiq Batcha in connection with the case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has also quizzed him earlier in connection with their parallel probe into the scam. The ED along with the investigating agency had also raided premises of his firms late last year.

Raja, who was arrested by the CBI on February 2 on charges of criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with the 2G scam, is presently lodged in Tihar Jail.

Raja’s personal secretary RK Chandolia, former telecom secretary Siddharth Behuria and managing director of DB Realty Shahid Balwa have been so far arrested over their alleged roles in the 2G scam.

Raja was forced to resign from the Union Cabinet last year after the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) faulted him for undervaluing spectrum to favour companies who were largely ineligible for 2G spectrum, and added that the government had probably lost Rs.1.76 lakh crore in estimated revenue. (ANI)