CBI will examine UB, India Cements

The CBI will examine the UB Group and India Cements for the payments they made to 2G scam-tainted Kalaignar TV.

The CBI will examine the UB Group and India Cements for the payments they made to 2Gscam-tainted Kalaignar TV.

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Investigators believe that payments received from these corporates helped Kalaignar TV return the alleged bribe of R200 crore, which it had received from the DB Group through a circuitous route.Vijay Mallya’s UB Group immediately clarified that the only commercial transaction it has with Kalaignar TV is a regular advertising contract, which is in the ordinary course of business.

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“Any speculation or suggestion of any other financial transaction in the nature of a loan to Kalaignar TV is completely untrue. We would be happy to clarify the same if and when any agency contacts us,” said Prakash Mirpuri, the group’s vice-president (corporate communications) in a statement.

According to CBI sources, there are other firms also who had transactions with Kalaignar TV. They too will be examined in the matter. Sources clarified that so far investigators have not found any criminality in these transactions.

According to the CBI chargesheet in the 2Gscam, Kalaiganar TV had received around Rs 200 crore from the DB Group channelled through two firms — Kusegaon Fruits and vegetables and Cineyug Films. The CBI has alleged that this was bribe money paid to the DMK-run TV channel after Swan Telecom was allotted the unified access services licences.

Kalaiganar TV and DB Group claim that it was a loan, which was duly returned with interest amount. But the CBI didn’t buy their claim.

DMK chief M Karunnidhi’s daughter Kanimozhi, Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar, Kusegaon directors Asif Balwa and Rajeev Agarwal and Cineyug’s Kareem Morani are facing trial due to this transaction. All of them are in the judicial custody along prime accused and former telecom minister A Raja.