ED issues summons to Karunanidhi’s wife in 2G case

Chennai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) chief M Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal in connection with its money laundering probe in the 2G (second generation) spectrum allocation case.

Dayalu Ammal, 84, has been given an option to present her case through an authorised legal representative, in case she cannot come herself and answer questions of agency sleuths on March 28 in New Delhi, sources said. The agency, they said, wants to investigate the role of Ammal with regard to the alleged channelling of Rs. 200 crore to the DMK family-run Kalaignar TV through a circuitous route in which her daughter Kanimozhi and managing director (MD) of the TV group Sharad Kumar are also accused.

Dayalu Ammal has, however, denied any wrongdoing in this case. A charge sheet in this case, under provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), is pending. The ED has already questioned Kanimozhi and former telecom minister A Raja in this regard. Both the DMK leaders and others have been questioned by the ED about the alleged transfer of Rs.200 crore to the TV channel, in which Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar each hold 20% stake.

The ED had earlier also scrutinised documents related to both the DMK MPs’ incomes, properties and personal investments. It had also initiated attachment proceedings under the PMLA against other individuals and certain telecom firms involved in the case. Besides the cases of Raja and Kanimozhi, a similar probe is underway under the provisions of the anti-money laundering Act against Asif Balwa, director of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt. Ltd, Rajeev Agarwal and Karim Murani of Cineyug Films Pvt. Ltd.