BANGALORE: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), entrusted with the probe into the controversial $300 million Antrix-Devas deal last month, has begun scrutinising documents related to the deal.
ED officials said, “The focus is on the transactions of the deal more than the other aspects. We have collected documents and are in the process of scrutinising them.”
Claiming that they have procured documents from both parties involved in the deal–Isro’s commercial arm Antrix, and Devas–a source said that the agency is yet to seize any of the bank accounts.
“We cannot rule out seizure of bank accounts. But at this stage of the investigation, we are yet to do it,” the source said, adding that a comprehensive report is expected to be filed in about two-three months.
The agency is currently in the process of initial verification, which is why it is looking into all the transactions of the deal and ascertaining if any other individuals were involved and their motive.
Another source said that the ED has already examined some persons in connection with the controversial deal. “We have examined/questioned persons involved in the deal and have gathered some information. We will now see how we can match the information obtained from these persons to what we find from the documents that are being scrutinised,” he said.
The agency, which is in close communication with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, will also look into the credentials of Telecom Devas (Mauritius) Limited and Columbia Capital Devas (Mauritius) Limited, besides focusing on whether some undue favours were extended to Devas at the cost of the government exchequer.
The agency has begun investigation under the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The Directorate is yet to record the statements of the scientists indicted by two committees constituted by the Department of Space.
One of the scientists said the ED was yet to question or examine them. “We have nothing to hide, we will provide full co-operation to any investigation.”
Madhavan Nair said: “It is very late already. The ED probe must have been initiated in March 2010.
Radhakrishnan (Isro chairman) claims that he had received information about Devas selling shares at a high price at that time. Why did he not apprise the Centre and demand for a probe. Is it because he was the chairman and he wanted to favour Devas?”