2G case: CBI seeks time to respond to Dayalu Ammal's plea

CBI today sought one week's time to respond to the plea of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, a prosecution witness in a 2G spectrum allocation case, seeking exemption from appearance in a Delhi court due to ill health.

The agency, which was scheduled to file its reply today, told Special CBI Judge O P Saini that it needs time to respond to Dayalu Ammal's petition. The court allowed CBI's plea and listed the matter for May 29 for further hearing.

"One week time sought by CBI. Put up for reply, if any, and disposal for May 29," the judge said.

During the hearing, 80-old Dayalu Ammal's counsel told the court that she is not in a condition to appear as her health condition is such that she cannot travel.

On this, the judge told the counsel that Dayalu Ammal will not face any problem if she appears to testify as a witness.

"She (Dayalu Ammal) would not be having any problem here. Why are you stopping her from coming to Delhi? Let her come and see Delhi. We will provide her chair and a water bottle and I will also send the crowd out of the courtroom so that she would not face any problem at all," the judge said.

At this juncture, DMK MP Kanimozhi, who is Dayalu Ammal's daughter and one of the co-accused in the case, told the court that she is not in a condition to travel.

"No sir, the thing is that she (Dayalu Ammal) is not in a condition to answer any question. She cannot even travel by flight," Kanimozhi told the court.

After the court proceedings, one of the DMK members, who is close to Kanimozhi's family, told journalists that Dayalu Ammal cannot identify anyone, so she will not be able to answer any question asked by the court or CBI.

Dayalu Ammal, who was scheduled to appear before the court yesterday to testify as a prosecution witness in the case, had moved an application seeking exemption and her counsel had said she is "weak and bed-ridden" and it would not be possible for her to come to the court.