DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi and her fellow stakeholder in Kalaignar TV Sharad Kumar, who is also the network's managing director, on Friday were arrested and sent to the Tihar Central Jail here on judicial custody.
This followed rejection of their bail applications by the CBI Special Court, which is hearing the 2G spectrum allocation case.
Allegations “grave”
Denying bail, Special Judge O. P. Saini expressed apprehension that witnesses, who are Kalaignar TV employees, could be influenced, and that the allegations against the accused were “grave.”
“Considering the magnitude of the crime, the nature and enormity of the allegations, the character of evidence on record and the apprehension that witnesses may be influenced in case the accused are released on bail, I have no hesitation in holding that both applicants/accused have failed to make out a prima facie case for bail,” Mr. Saini said.
DMK workers and others, who accompanied Ms. Kanimozhi to the courtroom, broke down after the judge pronounced his order and called her and Mr. Kumar, who were until then seated in the courtroom, to come forward and stand on the dock.
As soon as the judge left the courtroom for his chamber, party workers and others huddled around Ms. Kanimozhi, even as she struggled to maintain her composure.
Ms. Kanimozhi and 11 other co-accused in the case were then led to the court lock-up, from where they were taken to the Tihar Jail.
DMK leaders, including T.R. Baalu, T.K.S. Elangovan and Poongothai Aladi Aruna, Kanimozhi's husband G. Aravindan and the former Union Telecom Minister, A. Raja's wife, M. A. Parameswari, were present in the courtroom.
