December 21 is a big day for DMK: 2G verdict on same day as RK Nagar poll

December 21 is D-Day for the DMK, with a special CBI court in Delhi set to pronounce the verdict in one of the largest corruption scams in India – the 2G spectrum case. The day also happens to be the day RK Nagar goes to polls.

The special court on Tuesday said it would deliver its verdict on December 21 in the 2G spectrum allocation graft cases involving, among others, former Telecom Minister A. Raja and DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi who are out on bail.

CBI Special Judge OP Saini has been hearing two separate cases related to 2G spectrum allocation. One is being probed by CBI and the other by the Enforcement Directorate.

The court concluded final arguments in the case on April 26.

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Raja was biased in allocating 2G mobile air waves and operating licences to telecom firms, causing a huge loss to the state exchequer.

The CBI chargesheet said Rs 200 crore were transferred from DB Group to Kalaignar TV as kickbacks in lieu of allocation of 2G spectrum to Swan Telecom Pvt Ltd.

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a separate case related to money laundering, alleging that a conspiracy was hatched by Raja, Kanimozhi, DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and others and that Rs 200 crore was proceeds of the crime.

The verdict in the 2G scam comes at a time when the DMK is contesting in the RK Nagar bye-elections. The polls, which will see a multi-cornered contest with AIADMK’s Madhusudhanan, AIADMK (Amma) TTV Dhinakaran, DMK’s Maradhu Ganesh, BJP’s Karu Nagarajan, actor Vishal and late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s niece Deepa Jayakumar contesting. The bye-polls are considered an acid test not just for the ruling AIADMK under Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami but also for the opposition DMK that has managed to gain the support of parties such as the VCK, Left, MDMK and the Congress in the election.

On December 21, the court will also deliver its judgement in 2G case against Essar and Loop.

The CBI has alleged that the promoters of the Essar Group were the real investors and beneficiaries of the spectrum and licences were issued to Loop Telecom, a front company of Essar to acquire 2G licences and spectrum in 2008.

Essar and Loop promoters are facing trial for hatching conspiracy to cheat the government for obtaining spectrum licence.

All the accused have denied the charges.

(With inputs from IANS)