2g Scam: With Kanimozhi's Arrest, Cbi Guns For More Beneficiaries

DMK MP Kanimozhi has become the latest in a gradually growing line of influential persons to be jailed in the 2G spectrum scam case.

The daughter of DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi was sent to Tihar Jail by a special CBI court on charges of receiving kickbacks in the 2G scam. Her case has sent into a tizzy other well-connected beneficiaries of the scam, unnerved by the fact that someone belonging to the DMK first family - and a member of a key UPA ally - could be jailed.

Forty-three-year-old Kanimozhi is the twelfth big name to be added to the list of VIPs in Tihar Jail after former telecom minister A. Raja, former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura, Raja's personal secretary R. K. Chandolia and seven corporate honchos.

However, the series of high-profile arrests is expected to continue. Kanimozhi was held after the CBI filed its second charge sheet.

The premier investigating agency is now training its guns on corporate firms Loop Telecom, S Tel and Data com, alleged beneficiaries of spectrum allocation, to nail them in its third charge sheet. This is likely to be filed this month before a special CBI court.

A joint team of the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate is all set to visit Mauritius to unearth the ownership of Delphi investments which bought Reliance Telecom's stake held in M/s Swan Telecom, a beneficiary of the 2G scam.

The agency had on May 12 questioned Essar Group's CEO, Prashant Ruia, in connection Essar's links with Loop Telecom which got a Unified Access Service Licence for 21 circles in 2008.

According to CBI sources, Loop Telecom was ineligible for spectrum licence and Essar had a joint venture with Vodafone for mobile services, and at the same time had a stake in Loop.

The CBI suspects that Loop Telecom was a front for Essar group, which held more than 10 per cent in Loop Telecom and violated the Department of Telecom's cross-holding norms.

Topshots of Loop Telecom, S Tel and Videocon Telecommunications have also been questioned by the premier investigating agency.

Sources said that owners of firms that allegedly benefited from the 2G scam could be in the line of fire. This could be a logical progression of the case following the arrests of CEOs and heavyweight politicians involved. If Kanimozhi's arrest has made them nervous it is because she is not only a DMK MP but the daughter of the DMK chief.

On Friday, dismissing Kanimozhi's bail plea, special judge O.P.

Saini noted that a number of the witnesses listed in the case are employees of Kalaignar TV and could be influenced by the accused if they are released on bail.

Kanimozhi is a part owner of the channel, along with Sharad Kumar, its CEO who was also arrested with the DMK MP for receiving `200 crore in bribes from D B Realty for the channel in the spectrum scam.

"Considering the magnitude of the crime, nature and enormity of the allegations, character of evidence on record and the apprehension that the witnesses may be influenced and the allegations against her, I am unable to show any consideration to her," said Saini who added that considering her "extremely dignified conduct" in the court he would have wished to give her "some consideration of being a woman".

As the verdict was announced, most of her supporters broke down seeing her being taken into custody.

"This was expected, I am not surprised," a teary-eyed Kanimozhi told her husband Aravindan and moved to the witness box along with coaccused Sharad Kumar for paper work. Her supporters included A.

Raja's wife M.A. Parmeshwari who hugged and consoled her.

The order quotes Raja's former private secretary Aseervatham Achary saying that Kani was an "active brain behind Kalaignar TV".

The court, also noted that the allegations against Kanimozhi and Kumar were grave.

"The role of both accused in the case is clear from the above incriminating material on record," the court said.

Investigating agencies have meanwhile probed top telecom corporate. Sandeep Basu, CEO of Loop Telecom was earlier questioned by the CBI.

The probe agencies are trying to unravel the ownership pattern of the telecom companies.

For instance, Shipping Stop Dot Com now Loop Telecom, had got 21 United Access Services (UAS) licences but its authorised capital was only `5.2 crore against a requirement of `128 crore.

The computer software company had misrepresented facts and was not eligible for grant of an UAS licence.

Similarly S Tel had got six UAS licences but submitted false certificates regarding paid up capital, among others.

Arun Mandhana, CFO and Rupinder Sikka, another top official of the company have already been questioned by CBI.

The third company, Data Com Services (now known as Videocon Telecommunications), had submitted a false certificate about the paid-up capital and got UAS licences for 21 circles.

The company's authorised capital according to a CAG report was just `1 lakh against requirement of `138 crore. Videocon's Raj Kumar Dhoot, a Rajya Sabha MP, has been questioned by the CBI.

Meanwhile, official sources stated that after the third charge sheet is filed, the CBI will focus on the period starting from 2001 onwards.

Top CBI officials maintained that no business tycoon or a business house had been given a clean chit.

WHY SHE IS UNDER LENS
Charges against Kani

* She is a key conspirator in the 2G spectrum allocation scam along with former telecom minister A. Raja
* She was actively pursuing the interests of the Karunanidhi clan-run Kalaignar TV and played a key role in diverting the bribe
* She pushed for Raja's appointment as telecom minister in 2009 with intermediaries - including politicians, journalists and lobbyists

Posted in: Breaking News