2G scam: ED to soon attach properties worth Rs 230 cr

The Enforcement Directorate will soon attach more than Rs 230 crore worth of properties in connection with the alleged bribe money which the CBI has said was paid illegally to Kalaignar TV in the 2G spectrum scam.

The Directorate has identified various properties in this regard and formal orders will be issued soon. The properties are in the names of various entities, ED sources said.

The properties will be attached under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and will be termed as "proceeds of crime" under the Act, they said.

This would be the first attachment order in the 2G case, and the action is expected to be followed by the properties of various telecom firms involved in the case.

The CBI charge sheet had alleged that a bribe money of Rs 200 crore had been channelised from Shahid Balwa's DB Realty to DMK-run Kalaignar TV through a "circuitous route" via Cineyug Films and Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables for grant of licence to Balwa's Swan Telecom Promoter.

The CBI, in its first charge sheet, has alleged that Balwa along with other co-accused in the case entered into a conspiracy for manipulating the procedure for allocation of spectrum with the aim of favouring companies like Swan Telecom and Unitech Group.

DMK MP Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar are already in Tihar Jail in the 2G case.