Sat, Apr 26th, 2014

 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday charged DMK chief M Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal, daughter Kanimozhi and DMK leader A Raja in connection with a money laundering case related to the 2G spectrum scam. According to the chargesheet, Kalaignar TV, owned by Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi, Dayalu and Sharad Kumar received Rs 200 crore as kickbacks in lieu of spectrum allocation to Shahid Balwa’s Swan Telecom in 2008 when A Raja was the telecom minister. A total 10 individuals and nine companies were charged for either directly or indirectly assisting in the money laundering through circuitous route.

 

Dayalu was earlier virtually exonerated by the CBI which made her a prosecution witness in the case.

 

Sources with the ED, however, said her role in money laundering was thoroughly examined by investigators before invoking charges under relevant sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

 

(PMLA). They added that with 60 per cent equity in Kalaignar TV, Dayalu was an active member in board meetings.

 

The sources further said the agency has examined a complex cycle of money transfers from Kolkata-based mailbox companies to Kalaignar TV. The money was part of funds collected by Kalaignar TV to repay the alleged loan of Rs 200 crore to Cineyug Films after the 2G scam controversy gathered media attention.