2G scam: ED files chargesheet against Raja, Kanimozhi

Also names DMK chief M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal along with others as accused

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday filed a chargesheet against former Telecom Minister A Raja, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal and daughter Kanimozhi and 16 others in a money laundering case, related to the 2G spectrum allocation controversy.

In the chargesheet filed in court, the ED also named Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Balwa and Vinod Goenka, and Kalaignar TV Managing Director Sharad Kumar as accused.

It alleged there was a case against these people under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), as Rs 200 crore was paid by the  Swan promoters to DMK family-run Kalaignar TV in 2008. Ammal was holding 60 per cent stake in Kalaignar TV, while Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar owned 20 per cent stake each.

The 19 accused named in the chargesheet comprise 10 individuals and nine companies. Directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Private Limited Asif Balwa and Rajiv Aggarwal, and Bollywood producer Karim Morani (of Cineyug Films Private Limited) have also been named as accused in the case.

The chargesheet, filed before judge O P Saini by Special Public Prosecutor Naveen Kumar Matta, says the investigative agency had found evidence with regard to channelling of Rs 200 crore to Kalaignar TV through a circuitous route. The court has fixed Wednesday for taking cognisance of the chargesheet. The ED had earlier also scrutinised documents related to Raja and Kanimozhi, both DMK MPs, including their incomes, properties and personal investments. It had also initiated attachment proceedings under PMLA against other individuals and certain telecom firms involved in the case.

According to Section 3 of the PMLA, “Whosoever directly or indirectly attempts to indulge or knowingly assists or knowingly is a party or is actually involved in any process or activity connected with the proceeds of crime and projecting it as untainted property shall be guilty of offence of money laundering.” If charges are proved, there could be an imprisonment up to seven years. Most of these people named in the ED chargesheet are also facing trial in the 2G scam case, in which the CBI had earlier filed chargesheets.

Ammal is not an accused in the 2G case filed by CBI.