2G trial: Delhi HC concedes to Kani's prayer of bail hearing

New Delhi, Nov 24: The Delhi High Court today (Nov 24) agreed to hear DMK MP and 2G scam accused Kanimozhi's bail plea on Friday, giving hope that the Parliamentarian may step out of Tihar jail after she was arrested on 20 May.

On Wednesday, encouraged by the Supreme Court order granting bail to five corporate executives in the 2G case, DMK MP Kanimozhi and five other accused, moved the Delhi High Court for early hearing of their bail plea.

After over seven months" stay in Tihar jail, the Supreme Court had on Wednesday granted bail to Swan Telecom Director Vinod Goenka, Unitech Wireless (Tamil Nadu) Ltd managing director Sanjay Chandra, and three top officials of Reliance ADA Group — Gautam Doshi, Surendra Pipara and Hari Nair, who were lodged in jail number 3 since 20 April

Shortly after the Supreme Court order, counsel for the accused approached the high court registry for early listing of the matter which was scheduled to be heard on 1 December by Justice VK Shali.

Apart from Kanimozhi, others who have pleaded for bail are former telecom secretary Siddhartha Behura, DMK-run Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar and Bollywood filmmaker Karim Morani, Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd.

The accused had moved the high court challenging the 3 November 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 CBI"s willingness to allow bail to the five accused (Kanimozhi, Kumar, Asif, Rajiv and Morani). He had pointed out that the apex 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 DMK-run Kalaignar TV was a valid “inter-corporate deposit".

DMK supremo Karunanidhi"s daughter Kanimozhi has been in Tihar Jail since her arrest on 20 May.

PTI