Balwa wants to testify before JPC

NEW DELHI: DB Realty co-promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, who is now languishing in Tihar jail in the 2G spectrum allocation case, set tongues wagging on Wednesday with the surfacing of reports that he had expressed his desire to depose before the JPC probing the scam.

Balwa wrote a letter to JPC chairman PC Chacko on Wednesday seeking to appear before the parliamentary panel "to provide clarifications and perspective on the spectrum allocation in 2008."

"In the interest of the investigation, I should be called to depose before the JPC. I request you (the JPC) to consider my request to depose before the panel at the earliest and at a time of your convenience," Balwa was quoted as saying in the letter.

There were unconfirmed reports that Balwa wanted to turn approver in the spectrum scam, which could lead to the revelation of new names in the case.

It remains to be seen whether the JPC accedes to his request . There are other important accused who are currently in judicial custody. If the parliamentary panel does agree to call him, it could open floodgates of similar demand by the other accused.

Balwa, director of DB Realty, had floated Swan Telecom, which was a major beneficiary of 2G spectrum allocation done during the tenure of former telecom minister A Raja. It is alleged that Balwa, owing to his proximity to the jailed DMK leader, wangled 13 of the 22 2G licences across India, including in the lucrative Delhi circle.