2G probe touches Kalaignars channel

A team of CBI officials headed by an additional SP landed at the TV channels office.

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Two days after it was invited to verify documents,the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) carried out a midnight search at the office of Kalaignar TV,owned by family members of DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi,in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

A team of CBI officials headed by an additional SP landed at the TV channels office a few minutes after Thursday midnight and continued sifting through documents until 5 am on Friday.

The CBI is said to have found documents on financial transactions between Kalaignar TV and Mumbai-based company Cineyug Films,connected to Swan Telecom.

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The officials questioned the managing director of the channel,Sharad Kumar,who had earlier issued a statement denying any connection with the spectrum scam and later invited the agency to verify the documents themselves.

Sharad Kumar is said to have a sizeable chunk of shares in Kalaignar TV.

The midnight raid came as a surprise for all,as the attention was on Rajya Sabha member and Karunanidhis daughter Kanimozhi who,rumours suggested,could be summoned by the CBI for questioning.

Kanimozhi later denied receiving any information from the agency. She is a shareholder in the channel.

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The CBI has alleged that the DMK channel received over Rs 200 crore from Cineyug,a company with links to Shahid Balwa of Dynamix Balwa,the local promoter of the telecom company that now is Etisalat DB.

As this company,formerly Swan Telecom,is one of the major beneficiaries of the controversial allocation of 2G spectrum,the amount is widely believed to be a bribe for facilitating the deal.

Sharad Kumar has repeatedly denied the allegation,maintaining that it was a loan that was returned and for which interest has also been paid.