New Delhi:
The telecom scam, whose alleged constituents include a former union minister and the executives of some of India's best-known companies, has delivered a new wallop.
The CBI has removed its lawyer in the telecom scam case because he was allegedly colluding with representatives of one of the companies accused of criminal conspiracy and cheating to land an out-of-turn mobile network license in 2008 from then minister A Raja.
The CBI confirmed that it has removed its prosecutor, AK Singh, based on audio tapes that purportedly reveal him advising Sanjay Chandra, Unitech's Managing Director, on his legal strategy. Both Mr Singh and Mr Chandra were questioned yesterday, CBI sources said.
A statement from Unitech said that Mr Chandra "wishes to make it absolutely clear that he has never met the prosecutor in the 2G case outside of court or had any phone conversation with him. He denies the suggestion that his voice is on any alleged recording. It appears a fabricated voice recording has been sent anonymously to the CBI."
(Read full statement)The telecom scam is worth 1.76 lakh crores according to the government's auditor or CAG. The government has disputed the price-tag, but the scam tossed Mr Raja, Mr Chandra and several other senior executives into Delhi's Tihar Jail for several months.
The case is being tried by a special CBI court in Delhi; the CBI's investigations are being monitored by the Supreme Court.
Officials at the investigating agency say the taped phone conversations were sent anonymously and are being forensically examined. Unitech has so far not commented on the purported sting. The agency confirmed they have informed the Supreme Court about this development since they are monitoring the case.