2G scam: Dayalu Ammal seeks discharge in money laundering case

Ammal is suffering from dementia and is in 'unsound state of mind', says her Counsel

DMK chief M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal today sought discharge in a 2G scam related money laundering case, with her counsel telling a special court that she was suffering from dementia and cannot defend herself.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini adjourned till July 2 the hearing on bail pleas and framing of charges against the accused, including Dayalu Ammal, former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi.

During the hearing, 84-year-old Dayalu Ammal sought discharge from the case and permanent exemption from personal appearance on medical grounds.

Her counsel said she is suffering from dementia and is in "unsound state of mind". She is unable to recognise anybody except close relatives and that too erratically.

"In such a condition when a person is unable to converse or understand the complexities of the case, how can she defend herself," her counsel said.

Arguments will continue and witnesses would be examined on July 2.

Enforcement Directorate had filed a charge sheet against 19 accused, including Raja and Kanimozhi, claiming that the transaction of Rs 200 crore, which was allegedly paid to Kalaignar TV, was not genuine and it was a "bribe for grant of telecom licences to DB Group companies".

ED had chargesheeted 19 accused -- 10 individuals and nine firms -- in the case.

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, Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, Bollywood producer Karim Morani, Dayalu Ammal and P Amirtham have been named as accused in the ED's charge sheet.

ED has also named 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 as accused in the case.

ED had earlier told the court that its probe into the case emanates from the 2G scam and these accused had allegedly conspired and committed offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).