Author: Pradip R Sagar
Publication: Daily News & Analysis
Date: May 31, 2011
URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_revealed-the-offshore-links-in-2g-scam_1549407
The CBI team that went to Mauritius seeking
to probe offshore links of companies involved in the 2G scam has returned
after giving specific inputs to the Mauritius government on Indian bureaucrats
and politicians with stakes in a telecom company with money funneled via Mauritius-based
companies. Details from the tax heaven are expected within a month.
"During investigation, allegations surfaced
that some public servants of government of India may have stakes in a telecom
company, (favoured with a UAS license by A Raja) through some Mauritius based
companies. We have provided specific information to the Mauritius authorities
for assistance,'' a CBI official said.
A senior CBI official, who was part of Mauritius
team, told DNA, "The Supreme Court of Mauritius directed the Attorney
General (which is the nodal agency like MHA in India) to assist the CBI and
ED in getting the LRs executed. Notices were served to Registrar of Companies
(RoC), banks and fund managers to provide information sought by us. The authorities
have assured us that they will try to complete the probe within a month and
would send the documents related to the investigation to India."
The court allowed the probe to be carried
out in the manner specified in the Letter Rogatories sent by the Indian investigating
agencies.
A joint team of CBI-ED team had visited Mauritius
in connection with the money trail into the 2G spectrum scam. Probing agency
has sought information on about a dozen of companies, who has stakes in Indian
Telecom company, had a common address of a building in Port Louis, capital
of Mauritius. As many as 10 different entities named in connection with the
2G scam have a common address - The Les Cascades Building on the Edith Cavell
Street in Port Louis.
"Most of these companies frequently changed
names, equity and had the same address in Mauritius. Interestingly some of
these companies were formed barely months before the allocation of spectrum
in India. On the basis of our investigation here in India, we have provided
specific details of bank account numbers of required persons and companies
to the Mauritius authorities,'' the CBI official said.
The agency said that the replies to the LRs
would help build a strong case against the accused telecom companies, former
telecom minister A Raja and his associates.
