Kanimozhi seeks early hearing of plea in 2G case

DMK leader Kanimozhi has moved the Supreme Court seeking an early hearing of her plea seeking the quashing of charges framed against her in the 2G case being exclusively heard by a special CBI court.

Contending that she was innocent of the offences alleged against her by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Kanimozhi alleged that NGO Centre for Public Interest, which was made a respondent in the matter, following the Jan 21 order of the apex court, was "deliberately" not making an appearance and has failed to file its response to her plea.

The DMK leader has been charged with conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery for purpose of cheating and using as genuine a forged document under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and other provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Kanimozhi said two and a half years have passed since she moved the Delhi High Court and later the apex court seeking quashing of charges against her.

She said the trial before the Special CBI court was progressing on a day-to-day basis and any delay in hearing would render her plea infructuous.

Kanimozhi, a member of Rajya Sabha, said that in the absence of her plea not being heard at the earliest, she would "needlessly undergo the agony of the trial".

"The continuance of the trial against her without any material basis would amount to abuse of process of law, and result in gross miscarriage and failure of justice," her application said.

The apex court Jan 21 issued notice to the CBI on Kanimozhi's petition seeking quashing of the charges against her.

Initially, Kanimozhi and the other accused in the 2G case had moved the Delhi High Court seeking quashing of charges, but on a plea by the CBI, they were put on hold.

Kanimozhi had moved the apex court July 24, 2012, for quashing of charges framed by the special court holding trial in the 2G scam cases and also the chargesheet by the CBI. The 2G special court had framed charges Oct 22, 2011.

Kanimozhi contended that she was one of the directors of Kalaignar TV for two weeks June 6-20, 2007, when she resigned and had nothing to do with the channel's financial transaction.

However, the CBI said Kanimozhi was an active brain behind the operation of Kalaignar TV and was in constant touch with former telecom minister A.Raja for the launch of the channel.