2G:Kanimozhi allowed exemption from appearance for two days

New Delhi, May 10 (PTI) Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam
(DMK) MP Kanimozhi was on Tuesday exempted from personal
appearance for two days in connection with the 2G spectrum
scam case by a Delhi Court which allowed her to appear on May
12 before Chennai Income Tax Office to respond to summons for
alleged tax evasion.
Along with the 43-year-old daughter of Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, special CBI judge O P Saini also
exempted Kalaignar TV Managing Director Sharad Kumar from
personal appearance before it on May 12 and 13.
The court, however, imposed some conditions on the duo
saying "they shall not try to contact or influence any witness
or tamper with evidence while in Chennai."
Besides this, the judge also directed that their
counsels should remain present in the court to participate in
the proceedings on May 12 and 13.
"In view of the submissions made by the bar and the
fact that they are required to attend the Income Tax office at
Chennai for giving evidence, prayer is allowed.
"Accused Sharad Kumar and Kanimozhi are exempted from
personal appearance before this court for May 12 and 13," the
court said.
Kanimozhi's plea was made through former Additional
Solicitor General Altaf Ahmed which was not opposed by Special
prosecutor U U Lalit.
Ahmed submitted that both Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar
had to appear in person before the Income Tax office at
Nungambakkam in Chennai on may 12 at 11 am and 12.30 pm
respectively for giving their evidence.
"They have received notice from the Income Tax
department...directing them to attend income tax office in
person. It is not possible for them to return from Chennai on
the same day, they may be granted exemption from personal
appearance for May 12 and 13," Ahmed said.
He assured the court that the duo would attend the
proceedings on May 14 at 10 am when it would pronounce its
order on their bail pleas.
The court on May 7 had dismissed their plea to go to
Chennai to prepare for appearance before Enforcement
Directorate, probing money laundering aspects of the 2G scam.
Kanimozhi and Sharad Kumar were seeking exemption from
personal appearances on May 9 and 10 to go to Chennai to
prepare responses to the queries of ED which was dashed by the
special court.
"Given the facts and circumstances of the case, I am
not inclined to allow the instant application, pending
disposal of bail applications. Accordingly the applications
are dismissed," the court had said while reserving its order
on their bail pleas for May 14, a day after the results of the
Tamil Nadu Assembly election would be declared.