2G scam: Arguments against Raja, Kanimozhi on June 3

A special court Friday fixed June 3 for commencing arguments against former telecom minister A. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and others accused of money laundering in a case linked to the 2G scam.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O P Saini also directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to furnish the documents filed with chargesheet to all the 19 accused.

The court said it will also hear arguments on the bail application moved by Raja, Kanimozhi and the other accused Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the ED filed replies on the bail plea of the accused.

Raja, Kanimozhi, Swan telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt. Ltd. (KFVPL) directors Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Bollywood producer Karim Morani, Kalaignar TV director Sharad Kumar and P. Amirthan were chargesheeted by the ED May 2.

The companies named in the case are: Swan Telecom Pvt. Ltd. (STPL), Kusegaon Realty Pvt. Ltd., Cineyug Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Cineyug Films), Kalaignar TV (KTV) Pvt. Ltd., Dynamix Realty, Eversmile Construction Company Private Limited, Conwood Construction and Developers (P) Ltd., DB Realty Ltd. and Nihar Construction Pvt. Ltd.

The authorised representatives of these companies appeared before the court.

The accused have been booked under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

"The investigation revealed that an amount of Rs.200 crore was paid by promoters of STPL, using their group entity, Dynamix Realty, to KTV, through KFVPL and CFPL (Cineyug Films) in the garb of legitimate financial transaction that is as loan/share application money," the ED has said in the chargesheet.

It said the payment was illegal gratification for and on behalf of Raja and his associates in lieu of illegal favours given to the STPL for grant of UAS licence.

The ED told the court that investigation has revealed that the return of Rs.200 crore has been done along with the additional amount in order to show this illegal payment in the guise of legal and bona fide financial transactions.