Judge says he was not under any ‘extraneous influence'

In his 76-page order on the bail plea of eight accused in the 2G case, the Special Judge, Mr O.P. Saini, took care to note that he was not influenced by the earlier orders on the bail applications of the accused or by any other ‘extraneous' factor.

This observation assumes significance as speculation was rife that the chances of DMK MP Ms Kanimozhi and four other accused (Mr Sharad Kumar, Director/Promoter, Kalaignar TV; Mr Asif Balwa and Mr Rajiv Agarwal, Directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables and Mr Karim Morani, Director of Cineyug Media and Entertainment) getting bail were bright because the CBI had not opposed their bail applications.

But the court dismissed the bail plea of all the eight accused who had applied for bail after finding that their bail plea was “without merit”.

“I have passed this order… without being influenced by the earlier orders on bail applications or by any other extraneous influence, but solely on the basis of facts and circumstances of the case and the law applicable to the same, keeping the best interests of justice in mind.”

The order crashed the hopes of Ms Kanimozhi and the four others. A teary-eyed Kanimozhi was seen upset with some mediapersons standing nearby as she said, “Are you not human beings? Why are you standing here? Please leave.”

However, she regained her composure later and was seen chatting with her family members. The politicos seen in the courtroom included DMK members Mr T.R. Baalu, Mr T.K.S. Elangovan and actress Ms Khushboo.

While some relatives and well-wishers of the accused cried, others criticised the order asking why the judge denied bail even after the CBI did not have any objections.

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