DMK chief's daughter Kanimozhi to depose as witness in 2G scam case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named 30 witnesses, including DMK chief M Karunanidhi's daughter S Selvi, in a 2G scam-related money laundering case in which her mother Dayalu Ammal has been put on trial by a Delhi court.

According to news agency PTI, the court had framed charges against former telecom minister A Raja, DMK member of Parliament Kanimozhi, Ammal and 16 others, including nine companies, under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Besides Selvi, ED has named as witnesses its deputy director Rajeshwar Singh, assistant directors Satyendra Singh and Kamal Singh, who are investigating officers in the case.

ED joint director Himanshu Kumar Lal, the complainant in the case, will also depose as a witness. The list of witnesses also contain names of Raja's former additional private secretary Aseervartham Achary, the then-deputy director general of the Department of Telecommunications AK Srivastava and others.

Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Judge OP Saini has fixed November 17 for commencement of trial in the case when Lal's statement is likely to be recorded.

On October 31, the court had put on trial the 19 accused-10 individuals and nine companies-under the provisions of PMLA after they had pleaded not guilty and said that they will go on trial for the charges against them.

The court had framed charges against the accused saying that Raja was in connivance with Kanimozhi, Dayalu and other coaccused in parking of illegal gratification of Rs 200 crore in DMK-run Kalaignar TV. If convicted, Raja and others will face a maximum sentence of up to seven years.

The court had said there was enough material on record which made out a prima facie case against all the accused who were chargesheeted by ED on April 25 for committing an offence punishable under PMLA.