The CBI probe into the 2G Spectrum scam has revealed that Chennai-based Kalaignar TV had decided to return `200 crores to Cineyug Films Pvt. Ltd a day after the agency carried out nation-wide searches in connection with the irregularities committed in awarding Unified Access Service (UAS) licences.
While the searches by the CBI were carried out at 14 places, including former telecom minister A. Raja’s residences in Delhi and Chennai, on December 8, 2010, the board of directors of Kalaignar TV held a meeting on December 9, 2010 and authorised Sharad Kumar (managing director of the channel) to settle the amount received from Cineyug Films at the earliest.
The CBI probe has already revealed that the transfer of `200 crores to Kalaignar TV was a “quid pro quo” for Swan Telecom getting UAS licence at a nominal price, sources said.
Investigation has also established that accused A. Raja, Ms Kanimozhi (daughter of DMK supremo M. Karunanidhi) and Mr Sharad Kumar, both stakeholders in Kalaignar TV, accepted and received an illegal gratification of `200 crores in the Chennai-based TV channel from other accused Mr Shahid Balwa.
“When the CBI for the first time called Raja for questioning at the agency headquarters on December 24, 2010 in connection with the 2G Scam, Kalaignar TV made a payment of `10 crores to Cineyug films through a cheque (no. 053966) on the same day,” sources said. The next cheque of `20 crores (no. 053973) is dated 27 December. Another payment of `25 crores (vide cheque no. 036422) was dated February 3, 2011. The heaviest payment of `65 crores was made on January 24, 2011 vide cheque no. (056592), sources added.