India's CBI removes telecoms scandal prosecutor

India's top investigation agency has removed a key member of its prosecution team for alleged links with a suspect in a corruption scandal.

AK Singh of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was removed after a news channel played an audio tape of his alleged conversation with businessman Sanjay Chandra.

The case relates to alleged mis-selling of telecommunications licences.

Government auditors say the scandal cost the country about $40bn (£24.5bn).

News channel CNN-IBN has played a audio tape of the alleged conversation between Mr Singh and Mr Chandra, the managing director of Unitech, a property company.

In the alleged conversation, Mr Singh tells Mr Chandra how a prosecution witness would depose in a special court which is hearing the case.

The CBI said Mr Singh had been removed from its prosecution team in the case and a probe had to begun to verify the allegation.

Mr Singh has not commented on the allegations.

Unitech denied in statement that the voice on the tape was Mr Chandra.

The company also said Mr Chandra had never met Mr Singh outside the court or had any phone conversation with him.

Former telecommunications minister A Raja and Kanimozhi, a lawmaker from the DMK party, are among 14 people charged in connection with the case. They all deny any wrongdoing.