For second time, CBI grills Nira Radia for six hours

The central bureau of investigation (CBI) grilled corporate lobbyist Nira Radia at its headquarters on Tuesday for over six hours in connection with the contents of the 5,800 taped conversations of her with several corporates, politicians and journalists.

According to CBI officials, PR consultant Radia reached CBI headquarters at around 11am and left at 5pm.

“Since we have completed the task of transcript of all the taped conversations, we need her clarification on certain conversations, in which she was talking about influencing government decision on allocation of 2G spectrum,” a senior CBI official close to the investigation, said.

She was also confronted about her conversations with a minister regarding to Cabinet reshuffle.

The government had taped Radia’s telephonic conversation on a complaint to the finance ministry that she was allegedly indulged in anti-national activities.

This was the second time when Radia was grilled by CBI in connection. On December 21 she was questioned at her south Delhi farmhouse. Former telecom minister A Raja was also grilled by the CBI into the spectrum scam alongwith several DoT officials which has resulted in the loss of Rs1.76 lakh crore to the exchequer.

After her questioning, the CBI may now parrest of “some people” under  prevention of corruption act for allegedly influencing government servants for their personal benefit.

The multi-agency probe into the allegations of irregularities in 2G spectrum allocation to telecom firms is being monitored by the apex court. The supreme court has asked CBI and ED to submit status reports to it by February 10 when the case will come up for further hearing.