Undone by Raja's ex-aide

M Kanimozhi was nailed by the CBI on the basis of the statement made by Aseervatham Achary, former telecom minister A Raja's former additional private secretary.

M Kanimozhi was nailed by the CBI on the basis of the statement made by Aseervatham Achary, former telecom minister A Raja's former additional private secretary.

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Achary, a prime witness in the case, said Kanimozhi was the 'active brain' behind Kalaignar TV. The same words were used to describe her role in the DMK mouthpiece by the CBI in its supplementary chargesheet.

HT had reported Achary's statement to a magistrate on March 29. Kanimozhi held 20% equity in Kalaignar TV.

The CBI has alleged that Kalaignar TV received around Rs 200 crore from 2G scam-accused Shahid Balwa-promoted DB Realty through two intermediary companies. In June 2007, Kanimozhi incorporated Kalaignar TV with other promoters.

Kanimozhi was in regular touch with Raja regarding the launch and other work of the channel.

It also alleges that she also actively pursued with intermediaries and the DMK headquarters the matter regarding reappointment of Raja as minister of telecom after the 2009 general elections, establishing strong association of Kanimozhi with the former minister in official and political matters.

The chargesheet states that Kanimozhi was initially a director of Kalaignar TV and resigned only because her clearance from the union home ministry home affairs was pending, which could delay the launch of Kalaignar TV channels.

According to the chargesheet, Raja was actively pursuing the case of Kalaignar TV for clearances from the ministry of information and broadcasting. Raja had also tried to get Kalaignar TV on Tata Sky direct to home platform.

This information was provided to the CBI by Aseervatham Achary.