Kanimozhi grilled by CBI; says nothing to hide

Widening its probe into the 2G mobile spectrum and licence allocation scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation today questioned Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and his wife Dayalu Ammal on the alleged transfer of money from Mumbai-based Cineyug to Kalaignar TV, owned by the family.

Kanimozhi, a Rajya Sabha member, later told newspersons, ''We are answering everything and whatever is required. We are cooperating with the CBI, unlike many political leaders who don't.'' This showed their intention to ''come out clean'' on the issue, she said.

Kanimozhi said she was ''asked to substantiate'' on the statement issued by Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar on certain financial dealings. 

Kanimozhi, and Dayalu Ammal were questioned by the CBI officials, who arrived in Chennai from Delhi, about the transfer of Rs214 crore to Kalaignar TV from Cineyug, a subsidiary of Swan Telecom, which is a second generation mobile telephony spectrum beneficiary, reports said.

Kanimozhi, who jointly with Dayalu Ammal holds 80 per cent stake in the DMK-backed channel, said the DMK never pressured the union government on dealing with the case, and added that the Supreme Court was monitoring the probe. 

''Do you want me toe the BJP line,'' she shot back when asked if the Congress-led UPA was trying to use the CBI against political parties.