2G scam: CBI quizzes Karunanidhi's wife & daughter

Chennai, Mar 11: DMK MP and Tamil Nadhu Chief Minister Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and his wife Dayalu Ammal were today (Mar 11) questioned by CBI at the party headquarters here in connection with the 2G spectrum allocation scam and her stake in Kalaignar TV channel.

The CBI team, which reached here early this morning, also questioned Managing Director of the TV channel Sharad Kumar at the channel's office which is housed in the DMK Headquarters, official sources said.

The investigators questioned the trio regarding their stake in the TV channel which has allegedly received Rs 214 crore from Shahid Balwa promoted company which was a beneficiary of the spectrum allocation made by former Union Minister A Raja, official sources said.

Both Dayalu Ammal and Kanimozhi collectively have nearly 80 per cent stake in the channel, they said.

A team of CBI officials reached, Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters where both were questioned about their stake. Kanimozhi was also questioned about her telephonic conversation with corporate lobbyist Niira Radia which were tapped by Income Tax department, they said.

The CBI had told a court recently, "It has also come to light that there was a transaction of Rs 214 crore from M/s Cineyug Films private limited to Kalaignar TV in 2009."

"The funds were arranged by M/s Cineyug Films from DB Group companies wherein the family members of Balwa are the directors or shareholders," CBI had said in its application filed before the court.

Kalaignar TV's denial earlier had followed CBI's allegations that there was a connection between scam accused Balwa-promoted Swan Telecom and the channel.

Managing Director of Kalaignar TV, Sharad Kumar had denied receiving pay-offs from DB realty, whose former chief Balwa is in CBI net along with Raja.

Kumar, who was also questioned last month, had also said the sum received from Cineyug Films was an "advance for transaction of shares", and was returned with interest when the two parties differed over the price evaluation of shares.

He had said that the money from Cineyug was received as loan which had been repaid with interest and the Income Tax department was aware of the transaction.

PTI