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2G scam: CBI grills Kanimozhi, stepmother on money trail

Last updated on: March 11, 2011 15:18 IST
Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi
Widening its probe into the 2G scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday questioned Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and his wife Dayalu Ammal on alleged transfer of money from Mumbai-based event management firm Cineyug to Tamil channel Kalaignar TV, in which both jointly own 80 per cent stake.

Kanimozhi, a Rajya Sabha member, and Dayalu Ammal were questioned by CBI officials, who arrived here from Delhi, about the transfer of Rs 214 crore to Kalaignar TV from Cineyug, a subsidiary of Swan Telecom, which is a 2G spectrum beneficiary, agency sources said.

The team had on February 18 raided the premises of Kaliagnar TV and questioned its Managing Director Sharad Kumar, who has denied any links with the 2G spectrum scam.

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2G scam: CBI grills Kanimozhi, stepmother on money trail

Last updated on: March 11, 2011 15:18 IST
Karunanidhi with Kanimozhi, Dayalu Ammal and Dayanidhi Maran
As promoters of Kalaignar TV, Dayalu Ammal has a 60 per cent stake and Kanimozhi 20 per cent. The questioning comes ahead of the March 31 deadline set by the Supreme Court for the filing of charge sheet in the case.

Kalaignar TV had said earlier that the central investigating agencies could verify their accounts and documents any time.

Under the supervision of the apex court, the CBI is currently probing the 2G spectrum scam which has already led to the exit of DMK MP A Raja as telecom minister, who is in judicial custody in Tihar prison.

According to the CBI, the money was given by Cineyug for picking up stakes in the television channel, but the deal failed. The money was returned with an interest of Rs 31 crore.

Karunanidhi has been parrying questions on reports that 2G spectrum money was routed to Kalaignar TV.

2G scam: CBI grills Kanimozhi, stepmother on money trail

Last updated on: March 11, 2011 15:18 IST
Shahid Usman Balwa
The CBI had claimed in a Delhi court recently that there was a link between scam accused Shahid Usman Balwa-promoted SwanTelecom and Kalaignar TV. Balwa was allegedly favoured by Raja in grant of spectrum licence, according to the CBI.

Sharad Kumar has maintained that there was no link between the 2G Spectrum allocation done in 2007-08 and the loan transaction that took place between Kalaignar TV and Cineyug Films private limited in 2009.

The CBI has alleged that the funds were arranged by Cineyug Films from DB Group companies wherein the family members of Balwa are the directors or shareholders.
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