2G scam: Two SC judges opt out from hearing case

In an unexpected development, two Supreme Court judges who were scheduled to hear the bail plea of DMK member of the Rajya Sabha Kanimozhi on Monday have recused themselves from the hearing.

According to reports, justices P Sathasivam and A K Patnaik conveyed their decision to recuse themselves to Chief Justice of India S H Kapadia on Friday. The reason for their recusal is not clear as yet.

The two have been replaced by a single judge, justice B S Chauhan, who along with justice G S Singhvi will hold a special hearing on Monday to decide on the bail applications of Kanimozhi and her co-accused, Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar.

Earlier on Friday, the Central Bureau of Investigation filed an affidavit in the apex court reiterating its opposition to the bail pleas of Kanimozhi and Kumar on the ground that if released, they could tamper with evidence and influence witnesses.

The CBI contended that Kanimozhi and Kumar were key conspirators in the scam along with jailed former telecom minister A Raja, also of the DMK; and Rs214 crore was transferred to Kalaignar TV as a bribe for telecom spectrum. It was not a loan as claimed by the accused, the agency feels.

It said that since investigations into the 2G spectrum case are at an advanced stage, it would not be right to grant bail to the accused.