Kanimozhi, Sharad Kumar arrested, sent to Tihar jail

Friday May 20, 2011 06:38:41 PM, IANS

New Delhi: DMK MP Kanimozhi and her close aide Kalaignar TV chief Sharad Kumar, named as co-conspirators in the multimillion-rupee 2G spectrum case, were Friday sent to Tihar jail after a special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court here dismissed their bail pleas.

Addressing a packed courtroom, CBI Special Judge O.P. Saini said: "Both the bail applications (of Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar) are dismissed. They should be taken into into custody immediately."

"Considering the magnitude of the crime, nature and enormity of the allegation, character of evidence on record and the apprehension that the witnesses may be influenced in case the accused are released on bail, I have no hesitation in holding that both accused have failed to make out prima facie case for bail. Bail applications are without merit and the same are dismissed," the judge said.

Kanimozhi, 43, who was accompanied in court by her husband Aravindan and was wearing an orange salwar-kurta, tried to regain her composure after the judgment was pronounced and later told her supporters "I was expecting the decision".

There was shock as the ruling was read out and it became apparent that Kanimozhi, the daughter of DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, would be going to jail. Many people broke into tears. Her colleagues in the DMK and security guards held each other tearfully as she was taken into the lock-up in the Patiala House court premises.

Co-accused -- and former communications minister -- A. Raja also looked stunned. The DMK MP is already in jail in connection with the case, related to irregularities in the allocation of airwaves to telecom companies that caused huge losses to the exchequer.

The court allowed Kanimozhi to carry her medicines, books and reading glasses to Tihar Jail. It even allowed her home food, but declined her plea to continue wearing her nose pin while in jail.

The court rejected the submission of her counsel that she be granted bail because she is a woman.

The CBI had named Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar as co-conspirators in its April 25 supplementary charge sheet after it traced an illegal money trail of Rs.214 crore in the scam.

"The allegations in the instant case are that parties were in conspiracy with each other and in the conspiracy, each party is considered agent of the other and one cannot perform his act or role without the support from other," said the court.

Also present in the courtroom Friday were former telecom secretary Siddharth Behura, Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Balwa, Raja's aide R.K. Chandolia, Vinod Goenka of Swan Telecom and Sanjay Chandra of Unitech.

Two officials of ADAG, Gautam Doshi and Hari Nair, who were also named in the charge sheet, were also present in the courtroom.

Cineyug Film's Karim Morani was not present as he got exemption from personal appearance due to his ill health, while Surendra Pipara of Reliance, who is in judicial custody, was also not present in the court as he is undergoing treatment for a heart problem at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Kalaignar TV channel had earlier stated that the Rs.214 crore it got was a loan and paid back with interest.

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