2G scam: A Raja conspired with others to favour ineligible telecom firms, says ED

New Delhi, June 1: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday told a special court hearing a money laundering case related to allocation of 2G spectrum that former telecom minister A Raja had conspired with other accused to grant telecom licences to ineligible firms.

For this, Rs 200 crore was paid by promoters of Swan Telecom Pvt. Ltd., using their group entity Dynamix Realty, to Kalaignar TV, through Kusegaon Realty Pvt. Ltd. and Cineyug Media and Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Cineyug Films), ED's Special Public Prosecutor Anand Grover told Special Judge O.P. Saini during final arguments in the case.

This amount was given in the garb of legitimate financial transaction, that is as loan/share application money, he added.

Grover further said that the payment was in reality illegal gratification for and on behalf of Raja and his associates in lieu of illegal favours extended to the STPL for the grant of Unified Access Services (UAS) licence.

The ED further said that its investigation has revealed that the return of Rs 200 crore has been shown along with an additional sum of money in order to show this illegal payment as legal and bona fide financial transactions.

The amount was returned on the date Raja was summoned for questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

After hearing the prosecution for a while, the court posted the matter for July 27 for further arguments.

Along with Raja, DMK chief M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and others are facing trial in the money laundering case relating to the allocation of 2G spectrum.

The accused have been booked under various sections of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

IANS