PMLA case: 2G court completes recording statement of accused

A special court today concluded recording the statements of the accused in a 2G scam related money laundering case.
Fixing the matter for recording of defence evidence on April 6, Special CBI Judge O P Saini directed all the 19 accused, including former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi, to file the list of defence witnesses, if any, by March 31.
"Put up for recording of defence evidence on April 6 as prayed. Application for summoning/list of defence witnesses, if any, be filed by March 31, 2015," the judge said, adding that, "statements of all 19 accused are complete to their satisfaction".

During the day's hearing, the court recorded statements of Rajiv Agarwal, Director of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd, and accused firms -- DB Realty Ltd and Mystical Construction (P) Ltd (earlier known as M/s Nihar Constructions (P) Ltd).
"I may note that apart from 10 individuals, there are nine companies/firms, which have been arrayed as accused in the instant case. Counsel as well as authorised representative of each company assured that he/she has full authority to make statement on behalf of the company," the court noted.
Raja, Kanimozhi, DMK leader M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd (STPL) promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka and 14 others, including nine firms, are facing trial in the case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on April 25, last year had filed a chargesheet against them for alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The other accused in the money laundering case are Directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd, Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, Bollywood producer Karim Morani and P Amirtham. All of them are out on bail.