CBI questions exporter, looks for 2G hawala trail

NEW DELHI: The CBI questioned exporter Mahesh Jain on Monday in an effort to unearth the money trail of the kickbacks received from the sale of 2G spectrum licences. This is the second time Jain has been questioned in connection with the scam. The agency had earlier also questioned his brother Alok Jain, alias Bobby, to account for the transactions in his bank accounts . The two are known for their proximity to former telecom minister A Raja. The probe agency is focusing on funds that may have been funnelled into the country through the hawala route.

Jain, according to CBI sources, was questioned for more than three hours at the agency’s headquarters in New Delhi and asked to furnish documents related to his exports . ‘‘ He was called for questioning about the documents which were seized from his houses during the raids. He was also examined on the number of business and firms that his organization is handling . His dealings with firms outside India were also examined and we have asked him to furnish details of all such firms,’’ a CBI officer said.

CBI spokeswoman and DIG Binita Thakur refused to elaborate on the raids and said it was an ‘‘ ongoing process’ ’ in the probe. The CBI, which carried out intensive searches at five premises owned by the Jain brothers , feels that the duo could be the key players in cracking the money trail.