A.N. Sethuraman, group president, Reliance Communications (RCOM) informed a Delhi court that he had signed 15 applications for the grant of 2G licenses on behalf of Swan Telecom. He added that he was aware of the Rs 16.58 billion license fee that had to be deposited with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
“I had signed applications for UAS licenses including the certificate/undertaking. The annexure to the guidelines (for UASL) contains the amount to be deposited circle-wise as the entry fee in the event of letters of intent being issued and I knew this amount from this annexure at the time of signing of the application,”, he told Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini.
Deposing as second prosecution witness, Sethuraman also testified on the issue of Swan Telecom?s shareholding.
Prior to this, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in its charge sheet, has alleged that Swan Telecom was a front company of Reliance Telecom, which held 9.9 per cent stakes in the former company. However, it was also alleged that a web of companies were created to ensure complete control of Swan Telecom.
“I had carefully read the UASL guidelines and license agreement for providing UAS licenses. I have been shown clause 13 of application (for licenses to Swan Telecom) and as per my understanding, various entities may hold 10 per cent or more common equities. Also, the name of the companies or legal entities holding more than 10 per cent equity must be shown separately,” Sethuraman said.
