2G case: Raja, Kanimozhi, seven others seek bail

The bail pleas have been fixed for hearing on May 28

Former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and seven other accused, chargesheeted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a 2G scam-related money laundering case, today moved bail applications before a Delhi court.

The accused, who 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.

DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, also an accused in the case, did not appear before the court and her counsel moved a plea seeking exemption from personal appearance on the ground that she was not in a "fit mental condition".

The court allowed 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.

"Since the documents are voluminous, the accused submit that at least two days time is required for scrutiny. Put up for scrutiny of documents/consideration of bail applications on May 28," the judge said.

Besides Raja and Kanimozhi, Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, Directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd Asif Balwa and Rajiv Aggarwal, Bollywood producer Karim Morani, Kalaignar TV Managing Director Sharad Kumar and P Amirtham also appeared before the court and moved their bail pleas.

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.

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".