BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Friday filed a petition in the 2G Court against Tata Group chief Ratan Tata and lobbyist Nira Radia for covertly funding Unitech’s 2G licences. In his petition, citing a SFIO report on Tata’s funding of Rs 1,700 crore in dubious ways, Swamy alleged that CBI has not acted on these findings.
Swamy also demanded that the Enforcement Directorate should probe into the money laundering charges established by SFIO. His petition made former Telecom Minister A Raja, Unitech owners Ramesh Chandra, Sanjay Chandra and Ajay Chandra respondents in the case.
The Serious Frauds Investigation Office (SFIO), under Corporate Affairs Ministry in 2012, in a report found that Rs1,700 crore originated from Tata Sons, and through Tata Realty made its way to the Unitech group for the latter to pay for the controversial 2G license fee. Being an existing operator, Tata Group was not allowed to finance other company’s telecom operations, as per telecom guidelines.
Arguing before the Judge, Swamy pointed out that the Tata Group had admitted this violation and a fine of Rs 40 crore was imposed. He also said Raja has already admitted in 2G Court that Tata and Radia met him during this period at his home. “However, the CBI did not pursue the illegalities committed by Ratan Tata in the 2G Scam in relation with granting of licenses to Unitech. The SFIO report clearly shows that money was laundered from Tata to Unitech in covert ways and ED should be directed to probe under PMlA,” said Swamy.