New Delhi, Feb.6 : Businessman Suresh Nanda, who is alleged to have received kickbacks worth over Rs.400 crore in two defence deals, today failed to appear before Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials for interrogation.

This is the second time in a little over a week that Nanda, the son of former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral S. M. Nanda, has evaded questioning by the CBI.

He is believed to have informed the CBI headquarters that he was undergoing a medical check-up.

Nanda, whose passport was suspended temporarily by the Government for four weeks from January 31, was served fresh summons on Tuesday for appearing before the CBI today.

His family members and counsel informed the agency this morning that Nanda had gone to the Army Research and Referral Hospital for a general medical check-up, official sources said.

It was, however, not clear whether Nanda was admitted to the hospital.

The CBI wants to quiz Nanda about the funds received by him from overseas.

The CBI alleges that he had received kickbacks relating to Barak Anti-Missile System and Armoured Recovery Vehicles deals.

Nanda has denied any wrongdoing and claimed that the money in question was received through proper banking channels.

He has also refuted claims of the CBI that he had a British passport or had obtained the nationality of that country.

CBI Director Vijay Shanker had said yesterday that the agency would continue probing all defence deals, including that of Nanda "relentlessly".

ANI