CBI questioning Raja in 2G spectrum scam

NEW DELHI - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) questioned DMK leader and former communications minister A. Raja here Friday, over two weeks after his premises in New Delhi and Tamil Nadu were raided in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Raja reached the CBI office at the CGO Complex in the heart of the city around 10.30 a.m., a CBI officer said. He had come to Delhi Wednesday and promised to cooperate with the investigating agencies.

But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which Friday dubbed the CBI action against Raja “too little, too late”.

“It is only on the intervention of the Supreme Court that CBI is acting, and we hope the CBI comes out with some concrete evidence,” said BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy.

Spectrum was allotted to mobile companies at below market prices causing huge losses to the government when Raja was the communications minister. He had to resign last month due to the scandal that DMK leaders admit has embarrassed the party.

Raja has denied charges of wrongdoing. On Monday, he said he had sought time from the CBI as he had some personal work to attend to in Chennai and wanted fresh dates for his questioning.

CBI had Dec 8 searched the New Delhi and Tamil Nadu homes of former Raja as well as the premises of his associates in connection with the spectrum probe.

The CBI had also raided the premises of corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and an NGO linked to DMK MP and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s daughter Kanimozhi.