Nothing to do with DB Realty’s telecom business: Goyal

DB Realty boss Balwa’s political links have been a hot topic of political debate. A few days ago,the BJP had alleged that NCP chief and Union Minister Sharad Pawar had travelled with Balwa in his private plane after which the NCP hit back,saying BJP president Nitin Gadkari had used a helicopter belonging to Balwa.

Goyal,in a statement,said,“I have advised several major clients on corporate strategy and raising equity both from the public and private market. Many of these are well-known entities in the corporate world…. As part of my company’s professional engagement,I have also advised the real estate business of DB Realty for raising equity.”

He,however,made it clear that he has “never been engaged in relation to their (DB Realty’s) telecom business.”

Goyal further argued that several international professionals,lawyers,merchant bankers and international audit firms were also engaged in the IPO with him.

“My engagement with them ended over an year ago with the IPO of DB Realty. Even my professional fee in lieu thereof has not yet been realised because of current issues in their group. My relationship with their real estate company was as a professional. I reiterate that I never had anything to do even professionally as far as their communication/ telecom business is concerned,” he said.

Goyal’s association with DB Realty — a firm under the scanner of the CBI and an alleged beneficiary of 2G spectrum allotment — could cast a shadow on the BJP’s onslaught on the UPA. The Congress on Saturday gave ample hints that it may in the coming days use it to counter the BJP attack.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: “These are important matters and inputs for the investigators to look into. If correct,they are obviously extremely serious and merit deep and careful investigation.”