New Delhi: Two days after a special CBI court framed charges against all 14 accused, hearing on their bail applications resume on Monday. DMK MP Kanimozhi, who has been behind bars since May 2011 has applied for bail on the grounds of being a woman.
Charged for accepting bribes, criminal conspiracy to cheat the exchequer and criminal breach of trust, Kanimozhi is also likely to argue that since charges have been framed she be granted bail as per the Supreme Court order. Sources said that the CBI is unlikely to oppose Kanimozhi's bail, but for others, it remains to be seen if bail is granted by Special CBI judge OP Saini.
Co-accused and Kalaignar TV MD Sharat Kumar, Shahid Balwa's brother Asif Balwa, Cineyug's Karim Morani and Kusegaon realty's Rajeev Agarwal's bail pleas are among those that will be heard on Monday.
"Kanimozhi and other accused - my clients Asif Balwa, Rajiv agarwal, Chandolia, Shahid Balwa - for everyone, chances of getting bail has improved. Because there is sub-section 6 of Section 437, which says that if after the framing of the charges, within 60 days of the dates fixed for taking evidence if the trial is not concluded then the person should get mandatory bail and it is irrespective of the sections involved," said lawyer Vijay Aggarwal.
All the accused have pleaded not guilty. Sources say all of them will appeal against the charges in the High Court.
The 2G special court is likely to hear petitioner and Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy's argument on why P Chidambaram should be named as co-accused in the scam.
The Janata Party President has accused Chidambaram of masterminding the 2G spectrum allocation as the then finance minister in UPA 1, when the 2G spectrum allocation took place.
Meanwhile, Kanimozhi's father and DMK chief M Karunanidhi is said to be desperate to bail her out before Diwali. He even reached out to UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister on Saturday, but the DMK played down the visit.
It was the first time Karunanidhi met Sonia Gandhi after Kanimozhhi's arrest and his wife and Kanimozhi's mother Rajathiammal was present along with him at the meeting. Later on Saturday evening, Karunanidhi also paid a visit to the Prime Minister. The timing of the meetings has led to speculation that the DMK chief is desperately trying to get the Congress' help in fighting the 2G case.
It's getting bail for Kanimozhi that is the key focus of the DMK. That was Karunanidhi's biggest worry as he went to meet his daughter in Tihar jail after the court order allowing charges of criminal breach of trust to be filed against all the accused.
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