2G case: Kanimozhi, 5 others seek early hearing of bail pleas

New Delhi, Nov 23: Encouraged by the Supreme Court order granting bail to five corporate executives in the 2G case on Wednesday, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi and five other accused, moved the Delhi High Court for an early hearing of their bail pleas.

Shortly after the Supreme Court order in the morning, counsel for the accused approached the High Court registry for an early listing of the matter which is now scheduled to be heard on December 1, 2011 by Justice V.K. Shali.

Apart from Kanimozhi, others who have pleaded for bail are former Telecom Secretary Siddhartha Behura, Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, Bollywood filmmaker Karim Morani and directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal.

The accused had moved the High Court challenging the November 3 order of the special court denying them the bail.

In her bail plea, Kanimozhi"s counsel senior advocate Altaf Ahmed had contended that the trial court has ignored the Central Bureau of Investigation"s willingness to allow bail to the five accused (Ms. Kanimozhi, Kumar, Asif Balwa, Agarwal and Morani).

He had pointed out that the Supreme Court earlier, while denying her the bail, had granted her the liberty to move the trial court for it after framing of charges.

The senior counsel had also reiterated that Kanimozhi was not a direct beneficiary of the alleged scam and the Rs. 200 crore transaction from Shahid Balwa"s DB Group to Kalaignar TV was a valid “inter-corporate deposit".

Kanimozhi has been in Tihar Jail since her arrest on May 20, 2011.

PTI