2G: Temporary respite for Kanimozhi

A special Delhi court on Saturday deferred the bail hearing of Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi in the 2G scam case to May 20.

The court gave no specific reason for deferring the bail hearing, but reports said that the judges could have wanted to factor in the Delhi High Court verdict against corporate execs in the same case expected in a few days.

A Delhi court on May 11 exempted the 2G scam-accused Kanimozhi from personal appearance on over the next two days, with the state election results being declared on May 13 that turned out to be devastating electoral loss for her party.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on last Saturday opposed Kanomozhi?s bail application, who has been chargesheeted as a co-conspirator in the 2G scam.

Saying that Kanimozhi was the ?active brain? behind the scam, along with for former Telecoms Minister A Raja, CBI prosecutor UU Lalit told Special CBI judge OP Saini that she was well-aware of the Kalaignar TV money laundering.

But, eminent lawyer Ram Jethmalani appeared for Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi’s daughter and argued for her bail, playing the ?woman? card.

Jethmalani said: ?She (Kanimozhi) is a law abiding citizen, an MP and a woman. Section 437 of CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) says women, old people, children should normally be granted bail.”

Kanimozhi will have to go to jail if her bail application is rejected.

The CBI named Kanimozhi as co-conspirator in the 2G spectrum allocation scam in its second chargesheet filed before Special judge O P Saini.

Kanimozhi has been charged with section 7 and 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. She was asked to appear before a Delhi court on May 6.

Kanimozhi also faced the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 12 for money laundering.

The ED has indicted Kanimozhi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).