Former Telecom Minister A Raja on Monday admitted meeting corporate lobbyist Nira Radia along with then Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata at his residence in connection with work of the conglomerate. But Raja categorically denied having any telephonic call initiated from his side with Radia. The former Telecom Minister was facing intense crossing from CBI in the 2G Court.
“I met her once or twice along with Ratan Tata and thereafter, met her a few times, both in the Ministry of Environment and Forests as well as in the Telecom Ministry,” Raja told Special CBI Judge OP Saini while deposing as a witness to defend himself in the ongoing trial in 2G case.
“In both the Ministries, she came to meet me. She used to visit me in connection with work of Tata group. She met me once at my house along with Ratan Tata. I am not able to recollect if I had any telephonic conversation with her from my side. I am unable to recollect exactly if she ever called me. I am sure that I myself never called her,” said Raja while being cross-examined by special public prosecutor UU lalit, who asked if he has ever met Radia or not.
After an hour of CBI grilling, Raja complained to Judge on uneasiness due to illness, seeking adjournment for the day. CBI’s cross examination will resume on Tuesday. Raja evaded CBI’s repeated questions on his conversations with Radia. In July last year, while deposing as a prosecution witness, Radia had told the court that she had telephonic conversation about Cabinet formation with Raja and had attended meetings on behalf of Tata with him at his residential office here during November 2008.
On being asked whether he was aware of Kalaignar TV, the DMK leader said that he was aware of it as a viewer and did not know its shareholding pattern. “I am aware as a viewer and watching Kalaignar TV limited since the time it was launched. It was launched in 2007. I do not know who launched this channel. I am not aware of the management of Kalaignar TV,” said Raja, provoking CBI counsel lalit to counter him with evidences.
Raja further said that he had met Kanimozhi as a Member of Parliament of DMK when she visited his residence in Delhi with other MPs. The former minister denied that he had held multiple telephonic
conversations with Radia and Kanimozhi on the issue of putting Kalaignar TV on TataSky’s bouquet.
“As far as telephonic conversation with Nira Radia is concerned, I am unable to recollect exactly if she ever called me but I am sure that I never called her,” he said during his cross examination. When asked whether he has given clearance to proposals of Unitech and Swan during his stint as Minister for Environment and Forests, Raja said he cannot say anything about the clearances since they were looked after by the expert committee.