A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court dismissed the bail petition of Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar in the case on Friday following which they were taken into custody.
Rejecting their bail plea Judge OP Saini ordered their “forthwith” arrest and directed the duo to appear before it at 10 am on Saturday. Kanimozhi and Kumar will be lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail.
Judge Saini observed that the magnitude of the crime and enormity of the allegations character of evidence on record and the apprehension that witness may be influenced if bail is granted. “I have no hesitation in holding that prima facie case for bail is not made out. Bail applications are without merit and the same are dismissed,” he said.
Both of them have been charge sheeted by CBI for allegedly conspiring with former Telecom minister Raja, the key accused in the case. The court had earlier, reserved its order on their bail pleas for May 14, and subsequently postponed it till Friday.
Kanimozhi has been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act for taking bribe through Kalaignar TV, a channel run by DMK in which a sum of 200 crore rupees was routed from Shahid Usman Balwa’s firm DB Realty.
Kanimozhi and Kumar hold 20 per cent stakes each in Kalaignar TV while former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi’s wife Dayalu Ammal holds 60 per cent share in it.