It was high drama in the Patiala House court complex since Friday morning as 43-year-old Kanimozhi, daughter of DMK chief M. Karunanidhi, appeared on Friday at 10 am, sharp.
Lawyers, mediapersons and DMK activists were jostling for space in the small courtroom of special CBI judge O.P. Saini, who was quietly hearing the arguments from the defence lawyers all through the day.
Adi Shankar, a DMK MP fainted in the courtroom owing to suffocation and the heat. He was immediately ushered out of the courtroom.
The security in the special CBI court was tight both within and outside the court complex.
In the court, Ms Kanimozhi appeared relaxed and was even seen smiling as she talked to her husband, Arvindan and other leaders of the DMK who had assembled there as an expression of solidarity.
Former telecom minister, A, Raja, who was also present in the courtroom along with other co-accused corporate honchos, seemed oblivious of the court proceedings.
Ms Kanimozhi, who was escorted to the Patiala court by her husband Arvindan and a battery of 12 DMK MPs, led by parliamentary party leader T.R. Baalu, faces the charge of criminal conspiracy and taking illegal gratification for Kalaignar TV for grant of 2G licences.
After the court proceedings, Mr Baalu, talking to this newspaper, said, “Law will take its own course. I have nothing to say on the issue at this critical juncture.”
Outside the court, DMK spokesman and MP T.K.S. Elangovan dismissed speculations that Mr Raja was being given up by the party.
Besides Mr Baalu, the other DMK MPs who had come all the way from Chennai to extend moral support to Ms Kanimozhi were Tiruchi Siva, T.K.S. Elangovan, Palani Manickam, A.K.S. Vijayan, Adhi Shankar, Vasanthi Stanley, Helen Davidson, Dr Jayadurai. Selvaganapathy, K.P. Ramalingam and Sugavanam.