By IANS,
New Delhi : DMK MP Kanimozhi’s close aide and Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar Saturday informed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court here that the probe agency’s allegation against him in the 2G spectrum allocation case is “silly” and based on assumptions.
He has been linked to an alleged Rs.200 crore money trail in the award of 2G spectrum.
“The CBI allegation is ‘silly’ and is based on assumptions as the so-called bribe of Rs.200 crore to the channel was inter-corporate deposits (ICD) which had no connection with 2G spectrum allocation,” said senior advocate and former additional solicitor general (ASG) Altaf Ahmad, while defending Sharad Kumar.
Ahmad informed CBI Special Judge O.P. Saini that the investigating agency did not do its home work and was making allegations based on assumptions.
“The CBI want to see every thing from the prism of the present FIR (first information report) in the case. Our record is coherent and consistent. We have banking records, ICD agreements, share subscription agreements and a huge body of documents,” he said.
Sharad Kumar, who holds 20 percent stake in the channel, argued that there was a long time gap between the spectrum allocation and the alleged bribe.
The CBI alleged that he used to look into day to day affairs of Kalaignar TV in which 60 percent stake was held by former Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal. Kanimozhi held 20 percent stake.
The first set of charges filed in the case April 2 had named former communications minister A. Raja, eight others and the three telecom companies as co-conspirators.
The supplementary charge sheet filed April 25 named Kanimozhi, Sharad Kumar, Cineyug Films’ founder Karim Morani and two others.
All the five are accused in the case for the alleged bribe which was returned after the CBI started quizzing Raja in the case.
Earlier, seeking his discharge in the 2G spectrum allocation scam, Morani told that he was “innocent”.
“I (Morani) am an innocent man. I cannot be a part of the conspiracy. Being a friend to someone is not enough to prosecute anyone,” said senior advocate Siddhartha Luthra, appearing for Morani.
On Aug 23, Kanimozhi will begin her arguments on framing of charges against her.