2G spectrum scam: RAW informs CBI of hawala transactions

The CBI has started a probe into the hawala transactions allegedly linked to former Telecom Minister A Raja with the belief that a possible money trail could be unearthed in the spectrum allocation scam it was probing.

Indian external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) had provided the CBI with details of hawala transactions allegedly linked to Raja and a Chennai based business group. CBI sources said the note from RAW gives details of money laundering deals between a Dubai based individual and a Chennai-based business group.

The intelligence agency in its note has said that the Dubai based individual had established a number of front companies across the globe which are being used for such hawala transactions.

The agency which had carried out searches at the office of the business group has so far not named it directly in the telecom spectrum scam, sources said They said the new development might give them evidence about the way money earned through alleged illegal gratification was routed.

CBI sources claimed the RAW documents give details of overseas accounts which could be possibly linked to the former Minister. They said the office bearers of the business group might soon be called for questioning in connection with the case and send Letter Rogatory to some middle east countries seeking details of these bank accounts.