Jethmalani plays the gender-card for Kani; seeks bail

New Delhi, May 6: Daughter of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi who appeared before the court after being summoned to court over her involvement in the 2G scam, has pleaded for bail. Top lawyer Ram Jethmalani fighting her case in court said that she needs to be granted bail on the condition that she was “a woman, an MP and also a law abiding citizen".

An interview with a television channel on Thursday had seen her stating that she did not want any preferential treatment nor did not expect "leniency or special treatment because she is a woman." She had also expressed full confidence over coming clean in the case that had tarnished her image and caused embarrassment to the DMK.

CBI had earlier named her a co-conspirator in its charge sheet and was also probing her receipt of Rs 200 crore as kickbacks in the biggest telecom scam India has seen. She could face arrest if her bail application is rejected. Meanwhile, Jethmalani speaking on behalf of Kanimozhi, lay the entire blame on A Raja for scheming the scam and said, “The allegation is Swan Telecom paid a bribe to Kalaignar TV. Assuming for a moment that it was at Raja's instance that Swan paid Kalaignar TV, what is the offence committed here? She's just a shareholder in the company. Not even a majority shareholder. She just has 20% equity. The CBI is trying to create prejudice against her."

He also argued that it is the Board of Directors who has a say in the affairs and they are solely responsible and only they are to be charged for “criminal liability". He also passed the buck regarding the financial affairs of Kalaignar TV to its MD, Sharad Kumar. Sharad Kumar too owns 20% of the channel and has been chargesheeted by the CBI.

The hearing on the bail plea of Kanimozhi and the four others has been adjourned till Saturday. If bail is denied, the DMK MP and Kalaignar TV boss Sharad Kumar may be arrested tomorrow.

OneIndia News