KANIMOZHI’S BAIL REJECTED, LIKELY TO SPEND MORE TIME IN JAIL

P.Vijian

NEW DELHI, June 20 (Bernama) -- India's apex court Monday rejected a bail
plea from South Indian politician K. Kanimozhi, who was alleged to have received
hefty kick-backs from a controversial second generation (2G) mobile phone
spectrum licensing scam.

After India's Supreme Court's verdict, Kanimozhi, a member of parliament and
daughter of former Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi, was likely to spend
more time in Tihar Jail.

A trial court sent her to prison on May 20, after the Central Bureau of
Investigation's (CBI) probes revealed she diverted about RM140 million to
Kalaignar Television channel.

The money was said to be a bribe given by a telecommunication firm, a
beneficiary of the scam, to the Chennai-based channel, where she holds a 20
percent stake.

A member of the once powerful Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK), which lost
power last month in Tamil Nadu, Kanimozhi, 43, would now have to re-apply to a
lower court for bail.


Kalaignar channel's managing director Sharad Kumar's bail was also rejected
by the Supreme Court Monday.

Both Kanimozhi and Sharad had spent almost a month in jail.

Last February A. Raja, then Telecom Minister and also a senior DMK
politician was jailed for allegedly awarding licence to selected well-connected
telecommunication firms at a cheap rate -- which triggered the scandal.

The three accused had denied all charges.

--BERNAMA