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The CBI opposed the bail plea of the DMK MP, Ms Kanimozhi, and the Kalaignar TV Managing Director, Mr Sharad Kumar, — both accused in the 2G case — in the Supreme Court on Friday. The two are currently lodged in Tihar jail.
In its reply to the Special Leave Petition filed by Ms Kanimozhi and Mr Kumar before the apex court, the CBI expressed apprehension that if the two are enlarged on bail, they may influence the witnesses in the case and tamper with evidence.
The investigating agency said it would not be proper for the Supreme Court to grant bail to the two as the probe in the case is at an advanced stage.
Citing the orders of the Special Court and the High Court, the CBI said both the courts had dismissed the bail application of the two after carefully considering the evidence and other factors.
The CBI has accused the two of taking Rs 200 crore in bribe as “reward for undue favours” shown by the former Communications and IT Minister, Mr A. Raja, in the 2G licence allocation to Swan Telecom in connivance with other government officials.
On June 13, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the CBI on the bail application filed by the two. The apex court had asked it to file its reply by June 20, the next date of hearing.
After going through the CBI’s reply, Mr V.G. Pragasam, counsel for Ms Kanimozhi and Mr Kumar, told Business Line that the investigating agency has not said anything new and has reiterated the same arguments made before the High Court and the Special Court.
Ms Kanimozhi and Mr Kumar were arrested on May 20 after the Special Court turned down their bail application.
The apex court wanted to know from the CBI the details of the ‘bribe’ transaction (of Rs 200 crore involving Kalaignar TV, which is allegedly controlled by Ms Kanimozhi and Mr Kumar), and where the graft amount had gone.
The apex court also described corruption as the worst form of “human rights violation” and directed the CBI to state the exact loss to the exchequer on account of 2G licences granted during Mr Raja’s tenure as the Communications and IT Minister. The Supreme Court also asked the CBI about the status of trial in the case before the Special Court.
Though the CBI had alleged that Ms Kanimozhi was the active brain behind Kalaignar TV, she claimed that she did not actively involve herself in the management of the company. She also claimed that the Rs 200-crore transaction was a loan that was returned with interest through bank transactions and denied that it was a bribe amount.
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