Balwa withdraws bail plea after Kani's dismissed

Minutes after the Supreme Court dismissed the bail plea of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member of Parliament Kanimozhi, an accused in 2G scam case, the three other accused, including Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, withdrew their pleas for similar relief from the Delhi high court.

"In view of the apex court's order granting liberty to the accused to move fresh bail plea before the special Central Bureau Investigation court, I would not like to press the petition," said noted criminal lawyer Majeed Memon seeking to withdraw Balwa's bail plea.

Similarly, the counsel for Balwa's brother Asif Balwa and Rajiv Aggarwal, both directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd, also withdrew their bail pleas.

Justice Ajit Bharihoke, who was hearing the arguments in the last two hearings, allowed their pleas.

Rejecting the pleas of Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, a special apex court bench of justices G S Singhvi and B S Chauhan, asked them to approach the special Central Bureau of Investigation court, set up to try 2G scam accused, for regular bail only after framing of charges against them in the scam.

Earlier Balwa's counsel argued that his client should be granted bail to prepare himself to defend his case during the trial as the special court would frame charges in a month or two.