Delhi HC turns down Kanimozhi's bail plea

The Delhi high court on Wednesday rejected the bail application of Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam Member of Parliament and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi.

The court also rejected the bail application of Kalaignar TV Managing Director Sharad Kumar.

The DMK MP had stated that she should be granted bail since she has a young son to look after and her husband lives abroad. She also pointed out that she was the only woman who has been jailed in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.

"There are certain prima facie evidences against the accused. Considering the complicity of the accused in the offence, the bail applications are dismissed," Justice Ajit Bharihoke said.

Kanimozhi's mother Rajathi Ammal and DMK parliamentary party leader T R Baalu were present in the courtroom when the order was pronounced.

The court observed that since Kanimozhi is a political person and wields considerable influence in Tamil Nadu, the investigation into the 2G spectrum case may be hampered if she is released on bail. The court also rejected her contention that she has nothing to do with the day-to-day running of Kalaignar TV, in which she is a majority stake holder.

The Central Bureau of Investigation had argued that there was sufficient evidence to show that she was directly involved in the scam.

Kanimozhi is likely to approach the vacation bench of the Supreme Court for relief but she is unlikely to get a hearing till the end of summer vacation.

Kanimozhi, the 43-year-old daughter of DMK supremo M Karunanidhi, and Kumar were named by the CBI for allegedly receiving a kickback to the tune of Rs 200 crore.

Both Kanimozhi and Kumar have 20 per cent stake each in Kalaignar TV Pvt Ltd which allegedly received Rs 200 crore through a "circuitous" route from Shahid Balwa promoted D B Realty.

DMK chief's wife Dayalu Ammal, who has been left out of the list of accused, owns the remaining 60 per cent shares in the channel.

Kanimozhi and Kumar had moved the high court on May 23 challenging the trial court's order which had rejected their bail pleas, saying the offence attributed to them was grave and the possibility of influencing the witnesses cannot be ruled out.

Justice Bharihoke had on May 23 dismissed bail pleas of five corporate honchos, including Unitech Group MD Sanjay Chandra and Reliance ADAG MD Gautam Doshi in the case, saying there was a possibility that they may influence the witnesses.

With additional inputs from PTI