M A I N   N E W S

DMK chief’s wife, daughter grilled
N Ravikumar
Tribune News Service

DMK MP Kanimozhi arrives for questioning by the CBI in connection with the 2G scam probe, in Chennai on Friday. — PTI

Chennai, March 11
A day after AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa alleged that Congress leading the UPA government at the Centre had capitulated to the demand of Karunanidhi on CBI investigation, a special team of the investigation agency today landed at the Kalaignar TV office, situated at the DMK headquarters and questioned Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and daughter Kanimozhi in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

Kanimozhi holds 20 per cent shares and Dayalu Ammal 60 per cent share in Kalaignar TV. It is said they were questioned about the transfer of Rs 214 crore to the TV channel from Cineyug, a subsidiary of Swan Telecom, which is said to be one of the beneficiaries of the 2G spectrum scam. The Tamil channel's managing director Sharad Kumar was also questioned during the search.

According to the CBI, the money was given by Cineyug for picking up stakes in the TV, but the deal did not come through. Hence, the money was returned with an interest of Rs 31 crore. The CBI, had in its submission in a court in Delhi, said there was a link between Swan Telecom promoted by Shahid Usman Balwa and Kalaignar TV. Balwa is charged with receiving favours from Raja in grant of spectrum licence.

The CBI has alleged that the funds were arranged by Cineyug Films from DB Group companies wherein the family members of Balwa are the directors or shareholders.

In its denial, Kalaingar TV had stated that there was no link between the 2G spectrum allocation done in 2007-08 and the loan transaction that took place between Kalaignar TV and Cineyug Films private limited in 2009.