ED concludes final arguments in 2G money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday concluded its final arguments before a special court in the 2G scam related money laundering case in which former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and 17 others are facing trial. Special public prosecutor Anand Grover wrapped up his final arguments contending that the Rs 200 crore transaction between DMK-run Kalaignar TV (KTV) and the DB Group firms was "proceeds of crime" and not genuine. Special CBI Judge O P Saini has now fixed the case for final arguments by the defence on March 1.

The ED had earlier alleged that Rs 200 crore was paid to Kalaignar TV in lieu of grant of 2G spectrum licences to Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd (STPL) by Raja. It had claimed that Rs 200 crore transaction between DB Group firms and Kalaignar TV was "illegal gratification" and the money travelled through a "circuitous route" from Dynamix Realty to Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd and Cineyug Films Pvt Ltd and finally reached KTV. Grover had earlier told the court that there was "inconsistency" in the transaction which reflected that it was not genuine.

ED had alleged that a conspiracy was hatched by Raja, Kanimozhi, DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and others and Rs 200 crore was the "proceeds of crime". Raja, Kanimozhi, Ammal and 16 others, including nine firms, are facing trial in the case in which ED had on April 25, 2014 filed a charge sheet under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED has named 10 individuals and nine companies as accused in the case for the offence of money laundering under the provisions of PMLA.

All the accused, who are out on bail, have denied the allegations against them.