The CBI may not oppose the bail plea of DMK MP Kanimozhi, who is currently in judicial custody for her alleged involvement in the 2G scam. The agency will also not oppose, sources said, the bail applications of Cineyug Films founder Karim Morani and Surendra Pipara, senior executive of a private telecom company.
The bail applications of Ms Kanimozhi, Mr Morani and Mr Pipara may come up for hearing on October 24 before special CBI judge O.P. Saini. Sources, however, made it clear that the agency would oppose bail applications of other 14 accused who are also in judicial custody.
The bail pleas of DMK leader and Mr Morani were earlier rejected by the trial court and subsequently by the Delhi high court and Supreme Court. Mr Pipara had applied for bail immediately after his arrest but was rejected. The CBI probe has revealed that the transfer of `200 crores to Chennai-based Kalaignar TV, allegedly by a company linked to telecom promoter Shahid Balwa, was a “quid pro quo” for Swan Telecom getting UAS licence at a nominal price.
The CBI in its supplementary chargesheet, filed on April 25, said, “Investiga-tion by the CBI has established that accused A. Raja (former telecommunications minister), Kanimozhi (daughter of Tamil Nadu CM M. Karunanidhi) and Sharad Kumar, both stakeholders in Kalaignar TV, accepted and received an illegal gratification of `200 crores in Chennai-based TV channel from other accused Shahid Balwa.”