SC to hear Kanimozhi's bail plea today

The matter is to come up before a special Bench comprising Justice G S Singhvi, who is monitoring the 2G spectrum scam probe, and Justice B S Chauhan. This Bench was created by Chief Justice of India Justice S H Kapadia after a Vacation Bench comprising Justices P Sathasivam and A K Patnaik recused themselves from hearing the case, which had seen several high-profile persons including former Telecom Minister behind the bars.

Notably, the apex court is the last hope for Kanimozhi who is in jail since May 20 after being refused bail by a special court and the Delhi High Court. Kanimozhi and Kumar are accused of receiving more than Rs 200 crore for DMK’s first family controlled Kalaignar TV from accused Shahid Balwa’s firm Swan Telecom allegedly as quid pro quo for spectrum allocation. However, the two accused claim that the money was part of the loan.

According to the CBI, Kanimozhi, the Rajya Sabha MP, who held 20 per cent shares in Kalaignar TV was the mastermind behind the venture.

Taking up the hearing on the bail petitions, the apex court had on June 13 asked the CBI to explain where the Rs 200 crore, allegedly diverted to DMK-owned Kalaignar TV in 2G scam, has gone and also to file a response in a week’s time.

A Bench comprising Justices Chauhan and Swatanter Kumar had asked the CBI to come out with a status report on the loss to the state exchequer due to the award of 13 licences to one of the telecom operators and trial proceedings in the CBI special court.