Where has the Rs 200 cr gone SC poser to CBI in 2G scam

New Delhi (PTI) - Asking the Indian premier
investigative agency, CBI to explain where Rs 200 crore,
allegedly diverted to DMK-owned Kalaignar TV in 2G scam, has
gone, the Supreme Court today sought the probe agency's
response on DMK MP Kanimozhi's bail plea in the case.
A bench of justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar,
while terming "corruption as the worst form of human rights
violation," asked Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) to come
out with a status report on the loss to the state exchequer
due to the award of 13 licences to one of the telecom
operators and trial proceedings in the CBI special court.
The Indian apex court granted a week's time to CBI to
file its response on the three issues and the bail pleas of
Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar, MD of Kalaignar TV.
Kanimozhi and Kumar, named as accused in the second
charge sheet for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 200 crore,
were arrested on May 20 after the special court dismissed
their bail pleas in the case.
Both Kanimozhi and Kumar have 20 per cent stake each in
Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd which allegedly received Rs 200 crore
through a "circuitous" route from Shahid Balwa promoted DB
Realty.
Senior counsel Altaf Ahmed and Sushil Kumar Jain,
appearing for Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar during the brief
arguments, submitted the accused were not recipient of the
spectrum and had merely taken a loan of Rs 200 crore which has
been returned.
The argument, however, failed convince the bench which
pointed that the charge sheet clearly stated that the
so-called amount was not part of a legal transaction.
"Where has Rs 200 crore gone? What is the status of the
money. It is a case property. Investigation shows that Rs 200
crore as kickback or bribe. Whatever you may call it, either
way it was not part of a legal transaction," the bench said.
"There is nothing in your favour except section 437
(pertaining to bail)," the court further said while posting
the hearing of the case on June June 20.
When the counsel said there was no mention of the two
accused in the FIR or the first charge sheet, the bench said
"corruption is the worst form of human rights violation." PTI
However, the bench posted the matter for hearing to June
20 after CBI counsel Sonia Mathur and senior counsel A S
Chandiok said they have not been served with any prior notice
by the accused on their bail plea.
Kanimozhi, the 43-year-old daughter of DMK chief M
Karunanidhi, and Kumar have approached the Indian apex court
against the order of Delhi High Court and the trial court
which had refused to grant them bail in 2G case.
The high court had on June 8 dismissed their pleas after
observing that they have strong political connections and
there was a possibility of their influencing witnesses.
Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, who has been left out
from the list of accused, owns the remaining 60 per cent
shares in the channel.
Kanimozhi and Kumar had moved the high court on May 23
challenging the trial court's order which had rejected their
bail pleas.
A special CBI Court had on May 20 rejected the bail pleas
of Kanimozhi and Kumar and ordered their "forthwith" arrest.
They are currently lodged in Tihar Jail.