2G scam: Court denies bail to Kanimozhi, 7 others

The special CBI court looking into cases related to the 2G spectrum scam today denied bail to DMK MP Kanimozhi and seven others accused in the scam, saying the charges against them were of a very serious nature.

The development has  come as a severe blow to Kanimozhi, her father M Karunanidhi, the DMK supremo, and some of the other accused, particularly since the Central Bureau of Investigation, the main investigating agency in the case, had not opposed their bail pleas at the previous hearing on 24 October. Thus Kanimozhi and three others had every reason to hope for bail today.

The others whose bail petitions were dismissed were former (now jailed) telecom minister A Raja's then private secretary R K Chandolia, Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar, Kusegaon Fruits & Vegetables directors Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal, Asif's cousin Shahid Balwa, and Bollywood filmmaker Karim Morani.

"The facts of the case as well as the charges levelled against the accused are of very serious nature having grave implications for the economy of the country," special judge O P Saini said. "I am satisfied that no case for bail is made out for any of the applicants/accused." it said.

While dismissing the bail application of Kanimozhi, the court said, "By no stretch of imagination can she be said to be suffering from any discrimination on account of being a woman." Her chief ground for seeking bail was that she was a woman and a young mother, and courts generally give special consideration to these factors.

The court will begin trial in the case from 11 November.