2G case: Order reserved on Kanimozhi's bail, denied exemption

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Suspense continued on Saturday over arrest of DMK MP Kanimozhi with a special court reserving for May 14 its orders on her bail application after CBI strongly objected to it saying her 'complicity' in the alleged bribe given to Kalaignar TV in the 2G scam was clear.

The court also rejected her plea seeking exemption from personal appearance before it on May 9 and 10 as CBI contended that she was 'controlling everything' in Kalaignar TV, which got Rs 200 crore bribe from Dynamix Balwa group, from behind the scene.

Kanimozhi, and co-accused Sharad Kumar, Managing Director and CEO of the channel, wanted to go to Chennai to prepare for appearance before Enforcement Directorate (ED), probing money laundering aspects of the 2G scam.

Special CBI Judge O. P. Saini will pronounce the order on the bail pleas of Kanimozhi on May 14, a day after the results for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections will be out.

"Given the facts and circumstances of the case, I am not inclined to allow the instant application, pending disposal of bail applications. Accordingly the applications are dismissed," the special judge said on their plea for personal exemption from appearance.

Earlier, senior advocate Shanmugasundaram, appearing for Kanimozhi and Sharad, said "the accused may be allowed exemption from personal appearance before this court as they wish to visit Chennai in order to meet their auditors to prepare their replies before the ED for which they have been summoned for May 12 and 13."

The CBI prosecutor opposed their plea saying 'pending disposal of the bail applications, such an application cannot be allowed'.

The agency, however, said that one of the accused can go to Chennai as the documents, sought by the ED, are almost same.

The court rejected the plea and asked them to remain present every day till it decides their bail applications.

ED has asked Kanimozhi to furnish photocopy of her passport along with the details of the bank accounts in her name and her family members in India and abroad since January 1, 2007.

Kanimozhi, who was wearing pink 'salwar suit', was present during the day-long proceedings and was seen talking with key accused and former Telecom Minister A. Raja.

Besides DMK Parliamentary Party leader T. R. Baalu, Kanimozhi's husband Aravindan and several party MPs were inside the courtroom to express solidarity with her.