What about Rs 200-cr bribe: SC asks CBI

DMK MP Kanimozhi will remain in jail for at least a week as the Supreme Court on Monday fixed June 20 to hear her bail plea. Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV's MD Shard Kumar have appealed to the SC challenging the June 8 order of the Delhi high court rejecting their bail applications.

DMK MP Kanimozhi will remain in jail for at least a week as the Supreme Court on Monday fixed June 20 to hear her bail plea. Kanimozhi and Kalaignar TV's MD Shard Kumar have appealed to the SC challenging the June 8 order of the Delhi high court rejecting their bail applications.

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A special CBI court had sent the duo to the Tihar jail on May 20 after the CBI named them as accused in their second chargesheet in the case.

Seeking CBI's response within a week, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice BS Chuahan asked the CBI to explain as to what "happened to the R200-crore bribe or kickbacks."

This question was put to the agency after Kanimozhi's counsel claimed the money, alleged to be part of bribe money, was paid back with interest.

The CBI has alleged DB Realty-owned Swan Telecom off-loaded the amount to Kalaignar TV as bribe in lieu of the 2G licence granted to the company in 13 circles. The money was routed to the company through Karim Morani's Cineyug Films. Kanimozhi has 20% stake in Kalaignar TV and has been named as the recipient of the bribe money.

Terming corruption as the "worst form of human rights violation," the bench further told Kanimozhi's counsel that nothing was in her favour except for the provision under criminal procedure code (CrPc) that deals with grant of bail to a woman. The court added it would have to ascertain the extent to which the provision could be applied.

A week's time was given to the CBI after its counsel, additional solicitor general AS Chandiok claimed the agency had not received the advance copy of the Kanimozhi's bail petition.

The court posted Kalaignar TV's MD Sharad Kumar's bail plea for the same date. Kumar too has 20% stake in the company.