CBI quizzes Radia, others over allegations against Sahara

Corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and some top officials of TV channels have been examined by the CBI in its investigations into the allegation against Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy and two scribes that they had interfered with the probe in the 2G spectrum case, the Supreme Court was informed on Monday.

However, the CBI said that it was yet to lay hands on the telephonic conversations between those TV journalists and investigators from Enforcement Directorate who were allegedly approached in connection with the probe of 2G case. The statement was made by senior advocate K K Venugopal, who read out the findings of investigation by the CBI which filed its report in a sealed cover.

A bench of justices G S Singhvi and A K Ganguly was also informed that CBI was probing the allegations from all angles and was looking for independent witnesses and documents. "Niira Radia has been examined," Venugopal said adding that they were examined more than once as there were some contradictions in their statement.

The court on May 6 had said there was a prima facie case against Roy and two journalists-- Upendra Rai and Subodh Jain -- of Sahara India News Network for interfering with the 2G probe and had issued notices for contempt. The notices were issued on the petition filed by ED's Assistant Director Rajeshwar Singh, who is the investigating officer in the 2G spectrum case.

Venugopal said CBI has also examined Singh, his elder brother Rameshwar Singh, an Indian Revenue Service officer of 1988 batch. Sharat Chaudhary, Assistant Director in the ED, has also been questioned twice by the agency, he said. Upendra Rai and Subodh Jain have also been examined by the CBI, Venugopal said adding that Sudhir Chaudhary, CEO of TV channel Live India has also recorded his statement.