2G scam case: No proof found on fund transfer

New Delhi: There is no oral or documentary evidence to link the transfer of Rs 200 crore by DB Group of Companies to Kalaignar TV with former telecom minister A. Raja, the CBI court held on Thursday, giving a clean chit to him in the 2G case.

In his verdict, Judge O.P. Saini said the case of the prosecution is that this transfer of money to Kalaignar TV was illegal gratification for the favours shown by A. Raja. Howe-ver, none of the witnesses have supported the prosecution case. Others acquitted in the case due to lack of evidence are: former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura, Raja’s erstwhile private secretary R.K. Chandolia, Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa, Vinod Goenka, Unitech MD Sanjay Chandra and three officials of Reliance ADAG, Directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Kalaignar TV director Sharad Kumar and Bollywood producer Karim Morani, three telecom firms — Swan Tele-com, Reliance Telecom and Unitech Wireless.

There was no evidence to suggest that these accused participated in any conspiracy to receive avours from the government and that there was a quid pro quo for grant of 2G licence to the companies on firs tcum first served basis.

On Mr Raja and Ms Kanimozhi, the court said there is no evidence of demand and acceptance of illegal gratification by Mr Raja. The evidence only show that Ms Kanimozhi and and A. Raja used to meet each other.

Mr Raja also deposed that almost all ministers of DMK used to meet him. 

“There is nothing unusual in that. In the absence of any other material, it would be speculative and conjectural to infer from this that the money was parked in Kalaignar TV simply because one of the directors of company, that is, Ms Kanimozhi used to meet Mr Raja.”