'The cash transaction (between DB Realty and Greenhouse Promoters), instance of Batcha's driver reportedly going missing and his (Batcha) suicide, might have link' said the CBI.
The CBI today told a Delhi court that the alleged cash transaction between DB Realty and Chennai-based Green House Promoters Pvt Ltd which is under probe in the 2G scam "might have link" to the death of Sadiq Batcha, a close aide of arrested former telecom minister A Raja.
"The cash transaction (between DB Realty and Greenhouse Promoters), instance of Batcha's driver reportedly going missing and his (Batcha) suicide, might have link," the CBI said in the court of special CBI Judge OP Saini while seeking extension of custody of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd director Rajiv Agarwal by three days.
Batcha was managing director of Green House Promoters which the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) suspected to be a front for Raja.
Agarwal was arrested for his alleged role in 2G spectrum allocation scam in transferring Rs200 crore to Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd through the bank accounts of Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd.
The CBI said that Agarwal is also linked with Green House Promoters in which Raja's wife is one of the directors and he is required to be quizzed further regarding the cash transaction between DB Realty and Green House Promoters.
The court extended Agarwal's CBI custody till April 4 saying, "There is a statement on record that Green House Promoters Pvt Ltd, Chennai, were having close relations with DB Realty Pvt Ltd and the witness also mentions accused Rajiv Agarwal.
"The nature of the case is quite serious, the crime is enormous and the investigation is complicated and tedious and in such a situation, I find that the prayer for further custodial interrogation of the accused Agarwal is justified," the judge said.
Batcha, 38, was found dead in mysterious circumstances at his home in South Chennai on March 16 and his wife had claimed that he committed suicide as he was "unable to cope with the pressure" of the probe.
The court also sent Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa's cousin Asif Balwa, who was arrested with Agarwal, to Tihar Jail till April 15 under judicial custody after the CBI said that he was no more required for interrogation. The CBI submitted that they have collected material showing huge cash transaction from D B Realty to Green House Promoters.
Opposing CBI's plea, Agarwal's counsel Vijay Agarwal argued that the agency only wanted to "extort a confession" from his client.
"If the accused (Rajiv Agarwal) is remanded in police custody, he may be tortured to confess the crime... The CBI wants the people to commit suicide like Sadiq Batcha," the lawyer alleged.
He added that the name of Green House Promoters Private Limited is not new and he had already disclosed details about it.
Regarding Rajiv Agarwal's link with Green House Promoters Pvt Ltd, his counsel said that it was only a business association. He said that his client had already been quizzed at length by the agency before his arrest.
The CBI, however, said that Agarwal was giving "evasive replies".
"Agarwal has not made a clean breast of it and has given evasive replies. He has also not disclosed the true facts with regard to his association with Green House Promoters Pvt Ltd, Chennai. His custody is further required for sustained custodial interrogation," the CBI said.
Regarding Asif Balwa, the probe agency said that his further interrogation is no more required and he should be sent to judicial custody as he is highly influential and there is likelihood that he may tamper with evidence and records, if released at this stage of the investigation.
Agarwal and Balwa were directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd. Balwa was also director of DB Realty Pvt Ltd (a partner of Dynamic Realty).
Agarwal and Asif were arrested on March 29 in the 2G spectrum case after CBI had conducted searches at the premises of Dynamic Realty, Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd and Cineyug films Pvt Ltd in Mumbai and claimed to have seized some documents.
Those arrested in the case include former telecom minister Raja, his personal aide RK Chandolia, former telecom secretary Siddartha Behura, besides Shahid Usman Balwa.
Raja along with Behura and Chandolia were arrested by the CBI on February 2 and Shahid Balwa was arrested from Mumbai on February 8. They are presently in judicial custody.
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