Courts orders status quo on Kanimozhi custody

DMK MP Kanimozhi today moved a Delhi court for bail against arrest in the 2G case as her lawyer Ram Jethmalani sought to pass the blame on the scandal to the former Telecom Minister A Raja, who is also a party leader.

After day-long arguments on the bail applications for her and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, the special court for trying the scam adjourned the case for hearing till tomorrow morning when special prosecutor for CBI UU Lalit is expected to oppose freedom for them.

Special CBI Judge OP Saini ordered that status quo be maintained till it decides on their bail applications.

Kanimozhi, the 43-year-old daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi who appeared in response of the summons of the court, was composed as Jethmalani said that the conspiracy was hatched by Raja and she had no role in it.

Kanimozhi, who was escorted to the court by her husband Aravindan and a battery of 11 party MPs including DMK Parliamentary Party leader T R Baalu, faces the charge of criminal conspiracy and taking illegal gratification for Kalaignar TV for grant of 2G licences.

Raja was also present in the courtroom along with other corporate honchos who are in custody as Jethmalani recorded a caveat saying  his arguments for Kanimozhi were being made without prejudice to the case of the other accused including Raja.

Outside the court, DMK spokesman and MP TKS Elangovan sought to dismiss suggestions that Raja was being given up by the party.

"Jethmalani does not belong to DMK. He is defending Kanimozhi and Raja will be defended by his advocate. This is how the court proceedings work," he said.

However, Vijay Agarwal, lawyer for co-accused Asif Balwa and Rajeev Agarawal, said that the CBI was adopting a "hostile" attitude against his clients while not arresting Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar who had allegedly received bribes.

At the outset, the eminent lawyer maintained that Kanimozhi "has no role, whatsoever, in the scam".

"My misfortune is that I am Karunanidhi's daughter and an MP. I have 20% shares in Kalaignar TV. Show me one overt act of mine which relates to the offence."

He contended that apart from having 20% shares in Kalaignar TV, she does not have any role in running its day-to-day affairs.

She is neither a board member nor had attended any board meeting of the channel, said Jethmalani, adding that being a woman she deserves to be granted bail.