The CBI on Tuesday filed its affidavit in the Supreme Court in response to its notice on DMK MP Kanimozhi’s bail petition in the 2G scam case opposing her and Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar’s release from judicial custody at this stage when investigation was not yet over and reiterated the bribery charge against them.
The CBI rejected the claim of Kanimozhi and Kumar that the `200 crores allegedly paid to Kalaignar TV — in which she is a director with 20 per cent stakes — by DB Realty of Shahid Usman Balwa, a co-accused, was a “loan” advanced to the TV network but reinforced the charge that it was a “bribe” paid to them as “quid-pro-quo” in lieu of the favour allegedly shown by former telecom minister A. Raja in the grant of 2G licence.
The CBI has informed the Supreme Court, which is scheduled to take up their bail petitions on June 20, that a process for attachment of any property linked to the investment of `200 crores by any one has been set in the motion by the agency through Enforcement Directorate, looking into the money trail.
The CBI said the release of any of the accused in the 2G scam case on bail before the probe is over, will hamper the investigation, which was at the advanced stage as the probe agencies were looking into different money transactions in the foreign countries.
In support of its stand opposing the bail to the accused persons at a time when the probe about several money transactions was at the crucial stage, the CBI has extensively quoted from the orders of the special judge O.P. Saini, holding trial in the 2G scam case and the Delhi high court, why the bail should not be granted at this stage.
The special judge and the HC had rejected their bail petitions only after “very carefully” examining the entire evidence and other material brought on record, the CBI submitted.