SC agrees to hear bail plea of Kanimozhi

The Supreme Court today sought the CBI's response on DMK MP Kanimozhi's bail plea and also wanted to know the status of Rs 200 crore allegedly given to Kalaignar TV.

Terming corruption as the worst form of "human rights violation", the apex court asked the CBI to estimate loss accrued to the exchequer on account of licences issued to telecom operators during the tenure of A Raja as Telecom minister.

A bench comprising justices B S Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar also asked the investigating agency to inform it about the status of trial in the 2G case before a CBI special court.

The court granted a week's time to the CBI to file its response on the bail plea of Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar, MD of Kalaignar TV.

Kanimozhi and Kumar, named as accused in the second charge sheet for allegedly taking bribe of Rs 200 crore, were arrested on May 20 after the special court dismissed their bail pleas in the case.

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

The matter has been posted for further hearing on May 20.