AAP claims 'additional' evidence emerged on alleged role of DMK leaders in 2G scam

NEW DELHI: The AAP today claimed that additional "evidence" had emerged about 2G spectrum scam showing alleged roles of DMK chief M Karunanidhi, his daughter Kanimozhi and a top police officer of Tamil Nadu.

AAP leaders Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav and others told a press conference that recently four new taped conversations have surfaced which "throw more light" on the scam in which Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi has been chargesheeted by the CBI.

Bhushan admitted that AAP cannot independently verify the authenticity of the tapes but prima facie they appeared to be genuine. They appear to be recorded by someone on a Nokia mobile phone, he claimed.

According to him, these tapes contained purported conversation between a top officer of the state police and a senior official in Karunanidhi's office as well as between the police officer and Kanimozhi. The alleged conversations took place between November 2010 and February 2011, when Karunanidhi was the Chief Minister.

AAP demanded an independent probe into the alleged role played by Karunanidhi and the police officer in "covering up" the scam.

He also alleged that the purported conversations also contain a reference to multiple transactions of properties by the Tata Group through a subsidiary to an aide of Kanimozhi.

The AAP leader said the tapes warranted a probe into the property deal and various "favours" granted by then DMK government to the Tata Group.

Bhushan said he will place the tapes before the Supreme Court which is monitoring the probe into the 2G spectrum scam.

When contacted, Tata Sons spokesperson said, "allegations that are being made against Tata companies have been repeatedly looked into and investigated by the authorities concerned. These have found that the conduct of Tata entities have been above board. We reiterate that the business transactions of Tata companies are bona fide and in line with the Group's Code of Conduct and commitment to ethical standards"

There was no immediate reaction from Karunanidhi or DMK.