Probing the alleged links between some DMK leaders and Shahid Balwa in the 2G scam, the CBI today questioned managing director of Kalaignar TV Sharad Kumar and founder of Cineyug, Karim Morani, who is said to have facilitated transfer of Rs 214 crore to the channel in which Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's family has a majority stake.
Kumar reached the CBI Headqaurters at 11.30 am and was grilled for nearly six hours by the investigators in connection with transfer of funds from Cineyug which was allegedly facilitated by DB-group promoted by Balwa, one of the accused in the spectrum allocation scam, official sources said.
Two hours later, Morani was also grilled. The CBI sought clarifications from the two since the agency found discrepancies in the versions given by them on the alleged transfer, the sources said.
Kumar was quizzed about the Rs 214 crore received by the channel from Cineyug and the role of DB Realty in that.
"I was called to cross-verify some issues. I have provided all the information sought by them. I am going back to Chennai today," Kumar told reporters.
Last week, a team of CBI officials had gone to Chennai to question DMK MP and Tamil Nadhu Chief Minister Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi and his wife M K Dayalu Ammal in connection with the 2G scam and her stake in Kalaignar TV channel. Kumar was also quizzed in this regard along with the duo.
Kumar, who is a minority stake holder in the channel which is housed in Anna Arivalayam, the DMK headquarters, was questioned for the third time in this regard.
The CBI had told a court recently, "It has also come to light that there was a transaction of Rs 214 crore from M/s Cineyug Films to Kalaignar TV in 2009.
"The funds were arranged by M/s Cineyug Films from DB Group companies wherein the family members of Balwa are the directors or shareholders," the CBI had said in its application filed before the court.
The channel had refuted the allegation that there was any connection between Balwa-promoted Swan Telecom and the channel. Kumar had also denied receiving pay-offs from DB Realty, whose former chief Balwa is in jail along with former Telecom Minister A Raja in connection with the 2G scam.
He had said the sum received from Cineyug Films was an "advance for transaction of shares", and was returned with interest when the two parties differed over the price evaluation of shares.
Kumar had said that the money from Cineyug was received as loan and the Income Tax department was aware of the transaction.
