CBI opposes Balwa's plea to visit Mumbai for his firm's EGM

New Delhi, Jun 9 (PTI) Central Bureau of Investigation
(CBI), India's premier investigation agency, Thursday opposed
the 2G spectrum allocation scam accused and Swan Telecom
promoter Shahid Usman Balwa's plea for permission to visit
Mumbai to attend an extra-ordinary general body meeting of
Etisalat DB, his DB Realty group's joint venture firm with
UAE's Etisalat.
CBI counsel Raman Kumar opposed the plea before
Special Judge O P Saini apprehending that if allowed to visit
Mumbai, Balwa could influence witnesses in the case.
"If accused (Balwa) is allowed to visit Mumbai, there
are chances of his contacting and winning over witnesses,"
Kumar said opposing Balwa's plea seeking permission to
attend the EGM of Etisalat DB on June 15 in Mumbai.
The court reserved its order on Balwa's plea for
Friday after hearing the arguments from both sides.
No rights will be curtailed if Balwa is not allowed to
attend the meeting by going to Mumbai, contended CBI adding he
can attend the meeting through his proxy.
Balwa's counsel Vijay Aggarwal said "how will Balwa
meet and influence witnesses when he will be going to the
venue straight with two police personnel escorting him"?
He said his Mumbai trip is not going to affect the
trial of the case as the meeting is on June 15 when the court
will be closed for summer vacation.
Balwa's lawyer had submitted that his client, who is a
shareholder of Etisalat DB, will attend the meeting in the
judicial custody and will bear all expenses including travel
expenses.
Meanwhile, the court asked CBI to file its response by
Friday on Balwa's other application seeking permission to
appear before the Income Tax officials on June 20.
Balwa, arrested on February 8, has been chargesheeted
for conspiring with government officials and former Indian
Telecom Minister A Raja to secure 2G spectrum licences and for
giving Rs 200 crore bribe to Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK)
MP Kanimozhi.