DMK MP Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV MD and CEO Sharad Kumar have been arrested in the 2G spectrum scam case. A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court dismissed the bail petition of Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar in the case on Friday following which they were taken into custody. While rejecting their bail petition Judge OP Saini ordered their "forthwith" arrest and directed the duo to appear before it at 10 am on Saturday. Kanimozhi and Kumar will be lodged in Delhi's Tihar jail.
"Considering the magnitude of the crime and enormity of the allegations character of evidence on record and the apprehension that witness may be influenced if on bail, I have no hesitation in holding that prima facie case for bail is not made out. Bail applications are without merit and the same are dismissed," Judge Saini observed.
The 144-page order pointed out that most of the witnesses against Kanimozhi were the employees of Kalaignar TV and hence the possibility of they being influenced cannot be ruled out.
The court also rejected Kanimozhi's contention that she should be grated bail because she is a woman. "Considering the magnitude of the crime and nature of allegations against her I cannot give her that consideration," said the judge.
I am not surprised: Kanimozhi
After the judge rejected her bail petition, 43-year-old Kanimozhi looked tensed but said that she expected the order.
"I am not surprised. I was expecting this order, I will fight this legally," said Kanimozhi after the order.
She hugged her husband Aravindan and was in tears before being arrested. A Raja's wife MA Parameshwari also walked upto her and comforted her. She also sought permission from the court to get her reading glasses, books and medicines.
The DMK MP can only move to Delhi High Court for bail.
"We welcome the order by the judge, the applications were dismissed due to the seriousness of the allegations. Kanimozhi will be produced before the court tomorrow. The only option available with Kanimozhi is to apply to the High Court," said CBI counsel AK Singh.
DMK leaders, including its parliamentary party chief TR Baalu, was present in the court. Minutes after the court pronounced its order, three DMK MPs broke down while others were seen making frantic calls.
"What is there to react? DMK is in a state of shock," said Baalu.
The timing of the court rejecting Kanimozhi's bail is also significant as the Congress now feels that it has the upper hand in its ties with the DMK following the rout of their alliance in Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.
Kanimozhi, the daughter of DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, has been chargesheeted by the CBI for allegedly accepting Rs 200 crore as bribe for Kalaignar TV, where she is a 20 per cent share holder.
Both have been chargesheeted by CBI for allegedly conspiring with former telecom minister A Raja in the 2G scam case.
She has also been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act for taking bribe through Kalaignar TV - a channel run by DMK - in which the bribe of Rs 200 crore was routed from Shahid Usman Balwa's firm DB Realty.
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