Who was Batcha and what did he know

EARLY YEARS

Born in Karur district of TN, Batcha moved from Karur to Perambalur to earn a living. Started out as a door-to-door salesman selling mattresses and garments.

MURKY WATERS

The CBI raided Batcha’s Chennai offices and residence in December 2010 in connection with the 2G scam. Investigation is being carried out into how a company formed with a capital of Rs 1 lakh in 2004 earned revenue to the tune of over Rs 600 crore in five years.

It is believed that Batcha was the link between 2G money and hawala operators CBI was investigating whether foreign exchange regulations and RBI guidelines were followed in setting up the Singapore arm of Green House.

CBI officials are likely to go to Dubai to collect proof on hawala transactions by Batcha CBI and ED established money trail from DB Realty to Kalaignar TV Shahid Balwa, MD of DB Realty, arrested on Feb 9 from Mumbai.

Balwa told CBI that he knew Sadiq Batcha and first met him at the environment ministry in 2006 when Raja was handling the portfolio. Balwa is vice-chairman of Etisalat DB and owns Swan Telecom which got 2G licences Gradually, moved to become a real estate broker, would buy land at cheap rates and sell them for a profit In a bid to expand the business, he began taking loans from banks and lenders.

When he came under a huge debt following some failed ventures, he was bailed out by A Raja, then a lawyer and a DMK party activist

THE END

Batcha was brought dead to Apollo Hospital at about 1.30pm. His family said he had hanged himself because he was unable to cope with the shame of the 2G investigation.