Family reunion in Tihar jail

It was a rather gloomy family union in this festive season — hours after a CBI-designated court on Saturday charged DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi in the 2G spectrum case, her wheelchair-bound father, former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, met her for about half-an-hour in Tihar jail.

It was a rather gloomy family union in this festive season — hours after a CBI-designated court on Saturday charged DMK Rajya Sabha member Kanimozhi in the 2G spectrum case, her wheelchair-bound father, former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi, met her for about half-an-hour in Tihar jail.

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Accompanied by his wife, Rajathi Ammal, Karunanidhi met his daughter inside the cabin of the sub-jail No. 6 deputy superintendent, with officials and guards standing several feet away outside.

A jail source said Kanimozhi was visibly “pensive and glum”, owing to the charges framed against her. Karunanidhi, Kanimozhi and her mother spoke animatedly in Tamil but the conversation was intermittently broken by sobs, said the source.

“While Karunanidhi and Rajathi were wiping their eyes at times, Kanimozhi was emotional but stayed calm,” added the source.

Since arriving in the jail as an under-trial, Kanimozhi has met her father thrice, with two meetings in May and June.

According to sources, unlike in the previous two meetings, this time Karunanidhi arrived without a salted snack for his daughter. Jail sources said the father came with hope this time, if not snacks.

“Kanimozhi has been a bit cheerful of late, owing to news reports, that she may get bail soon. It is likely that she and Karunanidhi have discussed this issue,” said another jail source.

Kanimozhi is lodged in a cell that is reserved for women inmates.

After meeting Kanimozhi, Karunanidhi also met former telecom minister A Raja and Kalaignar TV managing director Sharad Kumar for half-an-hour. Raja and Kumar were also brought to sub-jail No. 6 deputy superintendent’s cabin for the meeting.