Satyam fraud probe 90 per cent complete: CBI

The Central Bureau of Investigation says it has completed 90 per cent of the investigation into the Satyam Computer Services fraud, and was now focusing on the fund diversion, if any, by the Satyam accused.

"As far as the Satyam scam is concerned most of the things (investigations) are over. We can say 90 per cent investigation is complete. The basic manipulation, falsification of accounts, the criminal breach of trust and other charges we have already framed, and now we have to prove it (offences) in the court of law through the evidences we have collected," CBI deputy inspector general V V Laxminarayana told reporters in Hyderabad yesterday.

''All the details have been presented before the court in the form of three charges-sheets including on income tax evasion,'' Laxminarayana said. "We also want to see that the trial is completed as early as possible and that's why we are asking for video-conferencing of the prime accused Ramalinga Raju (the founder of the erstwhile company)."

The CBI, which is prosecuting the Satyam accused, had recently sought permission of the court to establish video links with the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) where B Ramalinga Raju is admitted to expedite the case, as he is not attending court proceedings since September last year on medical advice.

On fund diversion, the CBI official said, "We are waiting for some replies from six countries to which Letter Rogatories have been sent, and once they come we will conclude on that aspect also.

''We will investigate if fund diversion has happened and only after the evidence is collected, and if there is any sufficient material to go ahead then we will proceed and file another supplementary charge-sheet," Laxminarayana said.

"In fact, we are asking them (foreign countries) to expedite through the Interpol and we are expecting that the replies will come very soon. Already replies from three countries have come and we are hoping to get significant information on foreign accounts held by Satyam Computers from British Virgin Islands," he said.

"We have been asking other channels and are in constant touch with corporate affairs ministry and our endeavour is to see that the information comes faster," Laxminarayana added.