2G case: No bail to Kanimozhi & other accused

All bail applications, including DMK leader Kanimozhi and seven others, in the 2G spectrum allocation scam have been dismissed on Thursday by the special CBI court. The court also announced that the trial will begin on November 11.

Judge OP Saini dismissed the bail pleas of all accused in the scam on three accounts. He said the three accounts on which the order is based are that the "crime committed was a deliberate offence, an economic offence and very serious in nature." He added that the accused used public money in careful manner for their personal use. The judgement reads that the order given has not been influenced by any external factors but solely keeping in mind the facts and circumstances of the case. It further said that by no stretch of imagination Kanimozhi can be said to be suffering from any discrimination on ground of being a woman. Reasons given by the court to dismiss bail pleas: - Non opposition by the CBI has no consequence in the eye of law. - On the basis of medical papers the illness of Karim Morani is not so high as to categorise his custody as being detrimental of health. - Kanimozhi belongs to upper echelons of the society and is also a Member of Parliament. By no stretch of imagination she can be said to be suffering from any discrimination on grounds of being a woman alone - Rights of accused important but rights of victims and witnesses no less valuable Kanimozhi has been charged for accepting bribes, criminal conspiracy to cheat the exchequer and criminal breach of trust and has been in Tihar Jail since May 2011. The court was hearing the bail application of Kanimozhi along with Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, Cineyug Films' founder Karim Morani, and Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Chief Executives Asif Balwa and Rajiv Agarwal. CBI sources had told CNN-IBN that they had a feeling the bail pleas will be rejected and that Judge Saini will leave the judgement to the Supreme Court. With additional information from PTI Watch the accompanying video for CNBC-TV18's Rituparno Bhuyan's comments.