A special CBI court on Thursday dismissed the bail application put forth by Kanimozhi in the 2G spectrum scandal case, refusing for the fourth time to let the DMK Rajya Sabha member walk out of jail since her arrest five months ago.
Using strong language to underscore the gravity of the charges against the accused, Judge OP Saini who is handling the trial in the telecom scam, dismissed Kanomzhi’s bail plea along with with that of seven others.
"Accused Kanimozhi belongs to upper echelons of the society and is also a member of parliament," Saini said, even though the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that is probing the case had not opposed the bail plea.
Earlier, Kanimozhi ‘s counsel had made a strong case for her bail before the special court here, arguing that the investigation in the 2G case by the CBI is over and charges have been framed and hence the accused cannot tamper with evidence.
Altaf Ahmad, who appears for Kanimozhi, the daughter of Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo M Karunanidhi - a key ally of the ruling Congress party at the Centre, argued before the CBI court at Patiala House that her custody is not required anymore.
He said Kanimozhi, who has been languishing in jail since May 20, 2011, can be granted bail with strict conditions.
The special CBI court will begin its trial in the case from November 11.
She is accused of accepting about Rs 200 crore as a bribe on behalf of DMK run Kalaignar TV from the Shahid Balwa-owned DB Realty in lieu of 2G spectrum licence by his party minister A Raja.
Touted to be the biggest corruption scandal of independent India, the the 2G scam, allegedly masterminded by ex-minister A Raja, pertains to a biased distribution of mobile airwaves and operating licenses, in lieu of kickbacks, to telcos that could have cost the treasury up to Rs 1.76 lakh crore in lost revenue.
Using strong language to underscore the gravity of the charges against the accused, Judge OP Saini who is handling the trial in the telecom scam, dismissed Kanomzhi’s bail plea along with with that of seven others.
"Accused Kanimozhi belongs to upper echelons of the society and is also a member of parliament," Saini said, even though the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that is probing the case had not opposed the bail plea.
Earlier, Kanimozhi ‘s counsel had made a strong case for her bail before the special court here, arguing that the investigation in the 2G case by the CBI is over and charges have been framed and hence the accused cannot tamper with evidence.
Altaf Ahmad, who appears for Kanimozhi, the daughter of Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) supremo M Karunanidhi - a key ally of the ruling Congress party at the Centre, argued before the CBI court at Patiala House that her custody is not required anymore.
He said Kanimozhi, who has been languishing in jail since May 20, 2011, can be granted bail with strict conditions.
The special CBI court will begin its trial in the case from November 11.
She is accused of accepting about Rs 200 crore as a bribe on behalf of DMK run Kalaignar TV from the Shahid Balwa-owned DB Realty in lieu of 2G spectrum licence by his party minister A Raja.
Touted to be the biggest corruption scandal of independent India, the the 2G scam, allegedly masterminded by ex-minister A Raja, pertains to a biased distribution of mobile airwaves and operating licenses, in lieu of kickbacks, to telcos that could have cost the treasury up to Rs 1.76 lakh crore in lost revenue.
--IBNS
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