New Delhi: As the untimely death of two
persons with alleged links to 2G scam raised questions, the
Union Home Ministry asked Mumbai and Delhi Police to provide
security to seven people who have given "confessional"
statements in the case.
Government sources said today that an urgent letter was
sent following a request for the same by the investigating
agencies including the CBI and Enforcement Directorate.
The sources said Union Home Secretary G K Pillai had
written to both Mumbai Police Chief Arup Patnaik and Delhi
Police Commissioner B K Gupta, asking them to provide security
to the seven "witnesses" who had recorded their "confessional"
statements under section 164 CrPC before a magistrate.
The move came amid reports that underworld gangs might
try and target these witnesses to subvert the probe.
Sadhick Batcha(30), a close aide of former Union Telecom
Minister A Raja, died in Chennai last month under mysterious
circumstances while 30-year-old Deepak Pushpanathan, Raja`s
wife`s cousin, died on Wednesday. Deepak was working with
Etisalat DB, a firm under the scanner in connection with the
2G spectrum scam.
Batcha, who was quizzed by CBI regarding the 2G scam,
was found dead at his home in south Chennai. His wife had
claimed he committed suicide as he was unable to cope up with
the pressure of the probe. The CBI has taken over the probe
into the death of Batcha.
CBI and ED had conducted searches at Batcha`s official
and residential premises in December. He had been called for
questioning four times since then.
CBI in its chargesheet filed on April 2 had alleged that
the money connected with the 2G spectrum scam was routed
through Batcha`s company to Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd in which
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi`s wife Dayaluammal was
one of the owners.
PTI
