New Delhi: Former Telecom Minister A. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and seven other accused, charge sheeted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a 2G scam-related money laundering case, on Monday moved bail applications before a Delhi court. The accused, which appeared before the court in pursuance to the summons issued against them, moved their bail pleas which have been fixed for hearing on May 28.
The court allowed Mrs. Ammal’s plea for exemption from personal appearance for the day. Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini directed ED to supply all the documents related to the case to all the accused.
They were also summoned as accused by the court which had taken cognisance of the ED’s charge sheet filed against 19 accused — 10 individuals and nine companies. The court has held that there was “enough incriminating material” on record to proceed against them.
The ED has also named as accused Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd, Kusegaon Realty Pvt Ltd (formerly known as Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd), Cineyug Media and Entertainment Pvt Ltd (formerly known as Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd), Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd, Dynamix Realty, Eversmile Construction Company Pvt Ltd, Conwood Constructions and Developers (P) Ltd, DB Realty Ltd and Nihar Constructions Pvt Ltd. The representatives of the nine firms appeared before the court.
The money laundering case relates to the 2G scam in which the DMK-run Kalaignar TV was allegedly paid Rs 200 crore by the promoters of Swan Telecom. ED has claimed that the transaction of Rs 200 crore, which was allegedly paid to DMK-run Kalaignar TV, was “not genuine” and it was a “bribe for grant of telecom licences to DB Group companies”.
During the hearing, the court told Ammal’s counsel to move a bail plea on May 28 and said it will be decided on merits. The bail pleas filed by all other accused will also is heard on May 28, it said, adding that it will also hear arguments on framing of charges in the case on that day.
During the arguments, the defence counsel requested the judge to defer the hearing to first week of July saying that they need some time to go through the documents. The court, however, did not agree to the submission, saying it was a Supreme Court-monitored trial and the apex court had given direction for day-to-day hearing.
The ED had earlier told the court that its probe into the case emanates from the 2G scam and the accused had allegedly conspired and committed the scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
ED also alleged that being the then Telecom Minister, Raja had the principal role in the allotment of 2G licences and he had “assisted” in the offence of money laundering. It said that Mrs. Ammal was holding 60 per cent share in Kalaignar TV whereas co-accused Ms. Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar had a stake of 20 per cent each.
ED also alleged there was a “reverse trail” of money from Kalaignar TV to Dynamix Realty through Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd (CFPL) and Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd (KFVPL).
Bureau Report
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