NEW DELHI: The sudden death of Sadiq Batcha, a close associate of former union communications minister Andinmuthu Raja, could be a setback to the CBI probing the 2G spectrum scam, sources said Wednesday.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had interrogated Batcha four times to detect the money trail of the Rs.1.76-trillion 2G spectrum scam and sources say the agency will face problems in the court to prove his recorded statements.
"The CBI will face problems in court with (Batcha's) recorded evidences," an official familiar with the probe process told IANS, requesting anonymity.
However, CBI spokesperson Dharani Mishra said that Batcha's death was "not a major setback".
Batcha, who is suspected to have committed suicide in his Chennai residence Wednesday, was said to be a key witness in the case. His death came at a crucial time when the CBI is planning to file a charge sheet against Raja by March 31 in the Supreme Court.
The CBI raided Batcha's company Green House Promoters and house last December. He was quizzed by the probe agency Jan 29, and Feb 22, 23 and 24.
Raja's wife Parameswari was on the company board for some time but she resigned in 2008.
Raja's brother A. Kaliyaperumal and close relative R.P. Prameshkumar continue to be on the board of Green House Promoters.
Batcha hailed from Raja's home town Perambalur in Tamil Nadu and became close to Raja through a DMK functionary.
The Green House Promoters, from being a nondescript company with an equity base of Rs.100,000 in 2004, grew to over Rs.600 crore revenue company within a short time. The CBI is investigating the rapid growth of the company in such a short span.
CBI spokesperson Mishra told reporters that Batcha had been "cooperating" with the investigating agency and "there was no pressure" from the agency on him.
The official described his death as "very unfortunate and very unexpected development".
Mishra said the CBI had "recorded and documented" all the evidence from him. "He was a suspect for his indirect involvement because he was not a beneficiary," the spokesperson said, adding that the agency was gathering information from police in Chennai about his death.
The CBI spokesperson denied that Batcha had been called for another round of questioning.
