ED concludes final argument in 2G money laundering case

There is enough evidence against former comminications minister A. Raja and others in a money laundering case related to allocation of 2G spectrum, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday told a court while concluding its final argument in the matter.

Special Public Prosecutor Anand Grover told Special Judge O.P. Saini that Raja has conspired with other co-accused in illegally granting telecom licences to ineligible firms.

For this an amount of Rs.200 crore was paid by promoters of Swan Telecom Pvt. Ltd., using their group entity Dynamix Realty, to Kalaignar TV, through Kusegaon Realty Pvt. Ltd. and Cineyug Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Cineyug Films) in the garb of legitimate financial transaction, that is as loan/share application money, he added.

Grover also said that 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 has further added 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.

The amount was returned on the date when Raja was summoned for questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Grover cited statement of various prosecution witnesses to support the allegation levelled against the accused.

After hearing the prosecution, the court posted the matter for March 1 for commencing final argument from the accused's counsel.

Raja with DMK chief M. Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and others are facing trial in a money laundering case relating to the allocation of 2G spectrum.

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