Sadiq Batcha’s wife claims attack, gets police protection

Chennai: Rehana Banu, wife of former union minister A Raja’s key aide Sadiq Batcha who was found dead in 2011 amid the probe into the 2G spectrum scam, was provided security after she lodged a complaint with the Police Commissioner stating that some men smashed the window glass and pelted stones at the car in which she was travelling Tuesday night in a suburban area. Her advocate said the attack came days after Banu’s family placed an advertisement in newspapers on the eve of Batcha’s death anniversary on 16 March. The advertisement, which surfaced in the social media two days ago, condoled Batcha’s death and had a line in Tamil about friendship. A senior police officer quoting the complaint said some men, who followed Banu’s car in a two-wheeler, had attacked the vehicle by getting on to one side of it. They pelted the car with stones and used a sickle to shatter the window glass, he told, when contacted. When the car accelerated in the wake of the attack, the two-wheeler borne men could not keep pace and a formal complaint has been lodged today by Banu he said. ‘Police protection has been provided,’ the official said. Earlier, speaking to reporters after lodging the complaint, Banu said she could not see anyone clearly from inside the car and may not be able to identify them. ‘I have sought police protection, they have promised me to provide security, I am afraid and I don’t want to say anything more,’ she said. Banu’s advocate said since the attack comes three days after placing the advertisement she feels that there may be someone behind this attack. No one knows if there is any political background to the attack or not, it is for the police to find it out,’ he added. The 38-year-old Batcha was the managing director of Greenhouse Promoters, a firm which was under the scanner of the CBI as well as the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the 2G spectrum scam. He was also questioned by the CBI in connection with the 2G case. Batcha was found hanging from the roof of the bedroom of his house here on 16 March, 2011.