A Raja `illegally’ granted 2G spectrum to `ineligible’ firms: ED

A Raja, telecom minister in the previous UPA government, had "illegally" granted 2G spectrum licences to ineligible firms in lieu of which a sum of Rs200 crore was allegedly transferred to Kalaignar TV, owned by DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's family, the Enforcement Directorate today told a special court trying the 2G spectrum case.

Commencing the final arguments in the 2G scam-related money laundering case, special public prosecutor Anand Grover told the court that Raja and the other accused had hatched a conspiracy and the Rs200 crore was the "proceed of that crime".

"The conspiracy was hatched by A Raja and others, including the companies, for illegally granting telecom licences to ineligible firms," Grover said, adding that the money was transferred to the TV channel through various companies in a circuitous route.

Grover said the amount was transferred to Kalaignar TV through various firms and was returned only when Raja was called by the CBI for questioning in 2G spectrum scam case.

"Kalaignar TV was owned by Kanimozhi (DMK MP) and Dayalu Ammal (wife of M Karunanidhi), the daughter and wife, respectively of DMK supremo M Karunanidhi, while Raja belonged to the same party," Grover told special CBI Judge O P Saini.

Grover could not completee his arguments today and would continue on 27 July.

Raja, Kanimozhi, Dayalu Ammal and 16 others, including nine firms, are facing trial in the case.

The ED, on 25 April last year, had filed charges against the accused for alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The court had, on 31 October last year, framed charges against the accused saying that Raja, allegedly in connivance with Kanimozhi, Dayalu Ammal and other co-accused, was involved in "parking" of illegal gratification of Rs 200 crore in Kalaignar TV.