Kanimozhi's stay in jail continues

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court today deferred hearing on the bail application of DMK MP Kanimozhi and Kalignar TV chief Sharad Kumar till 17 October in the 2G spectrum case. Kanimozhi's counsel Sushil Kumar told CBI special judge OP Saini: 'We want to argue on the bail application only after the court frames charges against my client (Kanimozhi) in the scam.'

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Sharad Kumar made the same submissions. The court will hear arguments on other five bail pleas in the case on Monday. Kanimozhi, daughter of DMK president M Karunanidhi, has been in jail since 20 May. The DMK MP on 16 September had filed a fresh bail plea before a CBI special court. Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar, managing director of Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd, a DMK-run television channel, were named by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as co-conspirators in the 2G spectrum scam. In August, Kanimozhi had reportedly told a CBI court that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the then Finance Minister P Chidambaram were fully aware of the 2G license allocations and had decided with the now jailed telecom minister A Raja not to auction these. The CBI on Friday filed written replies opposing the bail applications of five accused persons in the 2G spectrum scam case, while leaving it to the special court's discretion to decide on the bail pleas of Kanimozhi and Cineyug Films promoter Karim Morani. While Kanimozhi sought bail on the ground that she was a woman and mother, Morani cited ill-health. Section 437 of the Criminal Procedure Code allows bail for those 'under the age of 16, or is a woman, or is sick, or infirm.' The CBI opposed the bail applications of Sharad Kumar, Raja's private secretary R K Chandolia, Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa and Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables promoters Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal. The agency, in separate replies, cited the order of the Supreme Court, which, while dismissing Kanimozhi's bail plea, had given the accused liberty to move bail applications in the special court after it passed orders on framing of charges.

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