NEW DELHI: The recording of statements of ADAG Chairman Anil Ambani and his wife Tina as witnesses in ongoing 2G case trial will help CBI bolster its case, agency Chief Ranjit Sinha said today.
The agency has moved an application before the special CBI court here seeking recording of statements of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group Chairman and his spouse as witnesses.
Although the agency has recorded the statement of Anil while investigating the case, it had not produced him before the court as a witness.
“We sought the court’s permission to produce Anil and Tina Ambani as witnesses. We feel that it will bolster our case,” Sinha told PTI.
Three top executives of the ADAG group – Gautam Doshi, Hari Nair and Surendra Pipara – are accused in the ongoing case.
The agency has alleged that Shahid Balwa and Vivek Goenka promoted Swan Telecom Private Limited, an accused firm in the 2G case, was a front of Reliance ADAG.
The CBI claimed the move was aimed at getting telecom licenses even though existing players were barred from getting fresh ones. During the hearing, Lalit told the court that these witnesses are required to be called for recording of their statements to ascertain the truth.
He told the court that some documents regarding transaction of money have been received from the banks and these witnesses are required to be examined in that context.
Seeking to call Anil Ambani as a witness in the case, Lalit said that being the head of Reliance ADAG, his testimony is required regarding transaction of money between his various alleged companies.
“Unless and until we have this part (about money transaction) coming from the top, I do not think the task will be complete,” the prosecutor said.
Besides Anil and Tina Ambani, the CBI is seeking to call other witnesses including a former advisor to the TRAI, some bank officials and other CFSL experts.
Lalit told the court that the CBI had recorded Anil Ambani’s statement under section 161 of the CrPC during the probe into the case but it was not placed before the court earlier as the Reliance ADAG Chairman was not arrayed as a prosecution witness in the case.
He sought the court’s permission to place Ambani’s statement before it today itself but the judge said that he will deal with the issue after going through the reply filed by the accused.
The CBI also moved an application seeking to recall prosecution witness Nitin Jain, whose statement has already been recorded saying that there “appears to be slight inconsistency” in his testimony regarding the cut off date.
The CBI’s plea to call Anil Ambani as a witness assumes importance as three top Reliance ADAG executives – Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair – are accused in the case and were granted bail after spending nearly seven months in jail. –PTI
