2G scam: CBI seeks freezing of DB Realty properties

The Central Bureau of Investigation is reportedly preparing to write to the Enforcement Directorate asking it to attach properties of Mumbai-based Dynamix Realty, part of the Shahid Usman Balwa-promoted DB Realty Group, after the Supreme Court on Monday asked the investigating agency to inform it of the whereabouts of the alleged bribe of Rs200 crore paid by the firm to Kalaignar TV in return for spectrum allocation.

Acting on the basis of a bail petition filed by DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar, who are in custody after being chargesheeted in the 2G scam, a vacation bench of the Supreme Court had on Monday asked CBI, "Where has Rs200 crore gone? It is not a legal transaction."

The bench had expressed unhappiness over CBI filing a supplementary chargesheet against Kanimozhi and Kumar without zeroing in on such transactions. "The whereabouts of Rs200 crore must have preceded the filing of the chargesheet," the court said.

The CBI, in its supplementary chargesheet filed on 25 April, had alleged that Kanimozhi had made Rs200 crore through Kalaignar TV as bribe money. However, according to Kalaignar TV, it had received Rs214 crore as an unsecured loan from Cineyug Media and Entertainment, owned by Karim Morani.

Kalaignar TV is owned by the family of DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi, and both his daughter Kanimozhi and Kumar have a 20-per cent stake each.

The CBI in its 2 April chargesheet said its investigations have revealed Dynamix Realty, a partnership firm of DB Realty and other DB group companies, paid Rs200 crore to Kalaignar TV between December 2008 to August 2009, following a circuitous route through Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables and Cineyug Films (DB group holds 49-per cent equity in it).