A Special Court on Monday fixed November 3 as the date for pronouncing its order on the bail applications of DMK MP Ms Kanimozhi and four other accused in the 2G spectrum case.
This was after the CBI did not raise any objections regarding bail being granted to them. The court then reserved its order.
The four other accused include Mr Sharad Kumar (Director, Kalaignar TV), Mr Rajiv B. Agarwal and Mr Asif Balwa (directors of Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd) and Mr Karim Morani (Director, Cineyug Media and Entertainment).
The court had on Saturday framed charges against 17 accused in the case.
The special public prosecutor, Mr U.U. Lalit, representing the CBI, said bail could be granted to these five accused subject to the court's discretion and by imposing conditions including asking them to be present in the court as and when required during the hearing of the case.
BAIL FOR BALWA, CHANDOLIA opposed
However, the CBI counsel opposed the bail application of two other accused – Mr Shahid Balwa (promoter, Swan Telecom) and Mr R.K. Chandolia (personal secretary to the then Telecom Minister, Mr A. Raja) – saying that if one takes into account only the specific charges framed against these two, they could lead to a maximum punishment of seven years, if found guilty.
These are apart from the “umbrella” charges (against all the accused) of criminal conspiracy as well as criminal breach of trust (for which life imprisonment is the maximum punishment). Making a distinction, the counsel said the specific charges against the other five accused would lead to a maximum of only five years' imprisonment.
Earlier, citing a June order of the Supreme Court, Ms Kanimozhi's counsel Mr Altaf Ahmed told the court that according to it, Ms Kanimozhi was at liberty to move the bail plea after charges are framed.
Mr Ahmed also said she, being a woman, could be enlarged on bail and referred to a special provision under law in this regard.
He also said the court could impose any condition as it deems fit on her. She was arrested on May 20 and has since been lodged in Tihar jail.