2G case: Raja, Kanimozhi, others charged
2 Nov 2014 5:11 AM IST
Former telecom minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi, party supremo M Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal along with 16 others were put on trial in connection with the 2G scam by a Special Court on Friday. Special CBI Judge O P Saini framed the charges against 19 accused, including 10 individuals and nine companies, who were charge-sheeted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC and under the provision of the Money Laundering Act.
The others who were also put in trial are Shahid Usman Balwa, Vinod Goenka, directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt. Ltd Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Sharad Kumar, Bollywood producer Karim Morani and P Amirtham. After hearing both the parties, Saini said, ‘All charges are prima facie made out against each accused for laundering of money of Rs 200 crore from DB Group to Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd.’
Soon after delivering its order, Saini asked the accused whether they will plead to the offence or claim trial in the case. All the accused said that they would claim trial for the charges framed against them. Both Raja and Kanimozhi had argued that documents filed along with the ED’s complaint didn’t substantiate that they were connected with Rs 200-crore transaction from DB group to Kalaignar TV.
Other co-accused, including Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, too argued that there were no evidence against them. However, ED, in its charge sheet, had alleged that the accused were involved in the Rs 200-crore money transaction which was not bonafide and genuine and it was a ‘bribe for grant of telecom licenses to DB Group companies’ by Raja.
The others who were also put in trial are Shahid Usman Balwa, Vinod Goenka, directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt. Ltd Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Sharad Kumar, Bollywood producer Karim Morani and P Amirtham. After hearing both the parties, Saini said, ‘All charges are prima facie made out against each accused for laundering of money of Rs 200 crore from DB Group to Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd.’
Soon after delivering its order, Saini asked the accused whether they will plead to the offence or claim trial in the case. All the accused said that they would claim trial for the charges framed against them. Both Raja and Kanimozhi had argued that documents filed along with the ED’s complaint didn’t substantiate that they were connected with Rs 200-crore transaction from DB group to Kalaignar TV.
Other co-accused, including Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, too argued that there were no evidence against them. However, ED, in its charge sheet, had alleged that the accused were involved in the Rs 200-crore money transaction which was not bonafide and genuine and it was a ‘bribe for grant of telecom licenses to DB Group companies’ by Raja.
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