Chennai: The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) on Monday recorded the statement of Dayalu Ammal, wife of DMK chief M Karunanidhi and a 60 per cent stake holder in Kalaignar TV, in the 2G scam. Dayalu Ammal is a prosecution witness in the case.
Officials from the CBI, lawyers of other 2G accused, other directors of Kalaignar TV namely Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar and various DMK functionaries were present at the Gopalapuram residence of Karunanidhi where the statement was recorded. The CMM arrived at Dayalu Ammal's residence at 10 am and the questioning continued for around 4 hours. A swarm of media persons had also gathered outside the residence.
84-year-old Dayalu Ammal was exempted from a personal appearance at court by the SC, owing to her ill health. She os reportedly suffering from Alzheimers and Dementia. When asked if her answers were lucid, Sushil Kumar, counsel for Sharad Kumar said, "Her answers were acceptable to court. The recording of evidence is complete." Senior Public prosecutor of the CBI KK Goel said, "All evidence has been recorded, I cannot express any views about it as the court is seized of the matter. Dayalu Ammal was co-operative."
Kanimozhi, Stalin and Karunanidhi left the residence after the statement was recorded but none of them came forward to give a statement to the media waiting outside. DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan was heard telling reporters that as it was a court proceeding only relevant officials and lawyers were present with Dayalu Ammal when the statement was being recorded.
Dayalu Ammal's name cropped up during the investigation of the Rs 200 crore money trail that led to Kalaignar TV, in which she owns 60 per cent stake. Rs 200 crore were allegedly kickbacks from Shahid Balwa's Swan telecom. The money trail led the CBI to charge Kanimozhi, Dayalu Ammal's step daughter, as a co-conspirator in the 2G scam.
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