2G: HC reserves order on Kanimozhi's bail plea

The Delhi High Court on Monday reserved its order on the bail plea of jailed Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam member of Parliament Kanimozhi in 2G spectrum case with Central Bureau of Investigation claiming that the plea that routing of Rs 200 crore bribe to Kalaignar TV was a "valid" loan transaction was nothing but a "smokescreen".

"The orders on the bail applications of applicants (Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar, chief executive officer and managing director of Kalaignar TV) are reserved," Justice Ajit Bharihoke said.

During the arguments, which lasted for over three hours, CBI prosecutor and senior advocate U U Lalit opposed the bail saying "this (Rs 200 crore was advanced as loan to Kaliagnar TV) is nothing but a false theory, which has been propounded subsequently to create a smokescreen to conceal the actual offence."

Initiating arguments, senior advocate Altaf Ahmed, appearing for the 43-year-old DMK member of Parliament and Sharad Kumar, who are in jail since May 20, said "the role of the accused, in an otherwise enormous offence, is very minimal as they are not the allottees of the spectrum."

Ahmed tried to distinguish between the roles of Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar in the case and that of five corporate honchos whose bail plea has already been dismissed by Justice Bharihoke.

"The accused did not cause the loss of Rs 30,000 crore to the state and moreover, the transfer of Rs 200 crore to Kalaignar TV from DB Group was a valid loan transaction and

their was nothing dubious about it," he said.