New Delhi, May 28
Former corporate lobbyist Niira Radia today told a CBI court that Tata Teleservices Ltd, which was ahead in the queue for allocation of the 2G spectrum, lost the race while an “ineligible” Swan Telecom, said to be owned by ADAG Reliance Communications, was granted the radiowaves.

Radia, who appeared for the first time in the court in the case as a CBI witness, said she was advising the Tatas on telecom issues and the Tata Teleservices Ltd (TTSL) had opposed the allocation of spectrum to Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd (STPL) and Reliance Communications Ltd.

She said TTSL had applied for dual technology licences in 2007 which was granted in 2008 but it did not get the spectrum. The CBI, in its charge sheet, had alleged that Reliance Telecom Ltd (RTL), an accused in the case, used Swan Telecom, an ineligible firm, as its front company to get licences and the costly radio waves.

“During the time of grant of licence and spectrum, there was a very strong public perception, created by the media, of eligibility and non-eligibility. Through the public perception and advice of Tata’s advocates, I came to know that this company was not eligible,” Radia told Special CBI Judge OP Saini. — PTI

Niira Radia (pic) was warned by a Delhi court for "evading" questions relating to the 2G spectrum allocation case in which she is considered as a "sensitive" and "important" witness. "You are a very sensitive witness. Be brief and be specific in your answers," Special CBI Judge O P Saini told her when she was not giving direct answers and was speaking in an inaudible manner.