Priest denies NGO's links with spectrum scam

The Catholic priest whose NGO was raided in Tamil Nadu this week has denied allegations of any involvement in the 2G spectrum scam.

Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj's NGO Tamil Mayam was raided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday.

Talking to reporters, Fr Gaspar Raj said his NGO was targeted for its political connections. "We have a clean record and whatever documents the CBI has asked were promptly given," he said.

Media sources said the CBI believes that the money trail in the 2G scam may include the NGO.

Gaspar Raj is known to be close to A Raja, the DMK leader who was the country's Telecom Minister till the 2G scam. Karunanidhi's daughter, Kanimozhi, a Rajya Sabha MP, reportedly is a trustee in the NGO.

The NGO has in the past organised the Chennai marathon and other major local events.

"All the transactions are legitimate. There is not a single source of fund which is not publicly divulged," said Gaspar Raj, reacting to the raid.

"We are being unfairly targeted and are deeply pained by it. Tamil Mayyam nor its managing trustee is in any way connected to the 2G spectrum issue," he said.

He also rejected the accusations that he mobilised money for the LTTE. "I have never endorsed the ways of LTTE. I had only taken an ideological position in the cause of Tamils," he said.

On Wednesday, raids were also conducted at the homes and offices of those close to the senior leaders of DMK party.

The 2G scam, alleged to be India's largest-ever swindle, cost the exchequer Rs. 1.76 lakh crores. The scam mainly centers on A Raja, who is accused of selling mobile phone licenses at "unbelievably low prices" in 2008.