The Supreme Court has rejected the bail plea of DMK MP, Ms Kanimozhi, and the Kalaignar TV Managing Director, Mr Sharad Kumar, both accused in the 2G spectrum allocation case.
After hearing arguments by the accused and the CBI for over 90 minutes on Monday, the apex court said that the two can go back to the Special Court and apply afresh for bail only after the framing of charges in the case.
A Special Bench of Mr Justice G.S. Singhvi and Mr Justice B.S. Chauhan said after the charges are framed, the Special Court can consider the bail application of the two without being influenced by the earlier bail proceedings and the observations of the courts while rejecting bail.
Ms Kanimozhi and Mr Kumar had moved the apex court on June 10 against the order of the Delhi High Court that had dismissed their bail plea on June 8. They have been lodged in Tihar jail since May 20 after the Special Court had turned down their bail application.
The CBI alleged that Ms Kanimozhi and Mr Kumar had received a bribe of Rs 200 crore as “reward for undue favours” shown by the former Communications and IT Minister, Mr A. Raja, in the 2G spectrum allocation to Swan Telecom.
However, the CBI added that it had not yet recovered the original documents regarding the Rs 200 crore-transaction. Citing the order of the High Court and Special Court, the CBI said if the two are enlarged on bail at this stage, they can influence the witness and tamper with evidence as they have strong political and financial clout.