CBI examines complainant Dutt in NDTV raids case

A day after conducting searches at the premises of NDTV promoters, the CBI on Tuesday examined Sanjay Dutt, who is now a director in Quantum Security Pvt Ltd (QSL), in connection with the case. The FIR against the private news channel was registered based on a complaint filed by Dutt, who was a consultant for the broadcaster.

Sources in the CBI said, “Dutt is a complainant in the case. The agency sleuths wanted certain clarification from him.”

The agency is also scrutinising documents recovered during searches on Monday. Besides, the agency has also sought details of the officials of ICICI Bank, who were involved in the process of sanctioning loan to the NDTV, from the private bank, they added. The CBI on Monday carried out searches at the residence of Mr Roy and registered a case against him, his wife Radhika and RRPR Holdings for allegedly causing loss of `48 crore to ICICI Bank.

The CBI, however, on Tuesday sought to clarify its decision on carrying out raids against NDTV bosses saying the agency respects freedom of press and the action was taken as per the due process of law.

The statement comes in the wake of various media organisations, including the much-powerful Editors Guild of India, expressing deep concern over the raids conducted by the CBI on the premises of NDTV promoters.

The CBI, on Tuesday, said it has not conducted any search on the registered office of NDTV, media studio, newsroom or premises connected with media operations. “The CBI fully respects the freedom of press and is committed to the free functioning of news operations,” it said.