INDIA
The CBI stood by its stand of not opposing the grant of bail to Kanimozhi, and others on a query by Justice VK Shali, saying there was no change in the stand taken by it before the trial court.
Uncertainty continued over the release of DMK MP Kanimozhi and four others on bail in the 2G case with the Delhi High Court making it clear that it is not bound by CBI's "concession" of not opposing their plea.
The CBI stood by its stand of not opposing the grant of bail to Kanimozhi, and others on a query by Justice VK Shali, saying there was no change in the stand taken by it before the trial court.
"Is the judge bound by the concession by the CBI? The court is under obligation to assess all the parameters against you," the judge said as the counsel of the accused contended that the trial court had completely disregarded the CBI's stand.
The judge issued notices to the CBI seeking its formal replies by December 1, the next date of hearing.
"We reiterate the stand taken before the trial court. There is no deviation from that," Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran said as Justice Shali asked him if there is any change in the CBI's stand on the bail pleas before the trial court.
Kanimozhi, DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's daughter, has been in Tihar Jail since her arrest on May 20.
The five, including DMK-run Kalaignar TV MD Sharad Kumar, Kusegaon Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd directors Asif Balwa and Rajeev Agarwal and Bollywood producer Karim Morani, have moved the high court for bail challenging the trial court's November 3 order denying them the relief.
The judge also refused to grant interim bail to Morani who had asked for it on health grounds.
Justice Shali also asked the defence counsel if the high court could hear the matter when the Supreme Court is seized of the issue of CBI's 'no objection' to grant of bail to the five accused.
To the judge's query, the defence counsel pointed out that the apex court had only made a query on the difference between the CBI's stand of 'no objection' to bail pleas of the five accused and its opposition to others' plea for the same relief.
The judge directed the Tihar jail authorities to furnish on December 1, the latest medical report of filmmaker Morani, whose counsel Sidharth Luthra cited his ill-health as one of the grounds for bail to him. The judge also sought a list of witnesses against Morani.
Before seeking Morani's medical report, the judge wondered "Why everybody falls sick once he is in custody?"
Senior counsel Altaf Ahmed, appearing for Kanimozhi, pointed out that the apex court earlier, while denying her the bail, had granted her liberty to move the trial court for it after framing of charges.
"Charges have been framed now. I am entitled to bail now as there is a change in circumstance," Ahmed said.
He added that Kanimozhi was not a direct beneficiary of the alleged scam and the transaction of Rs200 crore from Shahid Balwa's DB Group to DMK-run Kalaignar TV was a valid "inter-corporate deposit".
"I am not a direct beneficiary and the transaction which CBI alleges as bribe money is nothing but loan which was transacted through the banking channel and taxes, including TDS, were paid. It was not an offence," he said.
The counsel for the accused said there was no chance of accused fleeing from the trial and the agency had no fear that they could influence the witnesses if granted bail.
Delhi: All primary schools closed, classes shifted to online mode due to rising pollution levels
BIG trouble for Anil Ambani, criminal charges against his Rs 14422 crore company over...
Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 producer calls Singham Again team 'unfair' after the box office win
From Play to Pay, Gaming Is Big Business And A Genuine Professional Prospect
Leasehold vs Freehold: Exploring Options for Expats and Investors in Dubai
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Disney complete Rs 70352 crore media merger, to be headed by...
Badshah lands in legal trouble, case registered against rapper for...
GRAP III imposed in Delhi: What is allowed, what is banned amid 'severe' air quality
'Throwing me in deep end': Ricky Ponting takes fresh dig at Gautam Gambhir over Virat Kohli remarks
Revolutionizing Inventory Management in the Cloud Era: Pradeep Kumar’s Strategic Innovations
Delhi: AAP's Mahesh Khichi elected mayor as party defeats BJP in MCD polls
Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 to be imposed in national capital from Nov 15, strict ban on...
WATCH: Inside Rinku Singh's Rs 3.5 crore luxurious house with rooftop bar, private pool
Renowned Yoga Guru Sharath Jois passes away at 53 after suffering heart attack
NASA alert! Giant 'God Of Chaos' asteroid set for close approach to Earth, may trigger astroquakes
UPPSC protest BIG update: RO-ARO exam postponed, PCS prelims to be held in one day
This man earned more money than Mukesh Ambani and world's richest man Elon Musk in one day, he is...
'World's best....': Japan vlogger's reaction to Bengaluru airport goes viral
Sania Mirza named Sports Ambassador of THIS city, not Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur
Shloka Mehta turns heads in sleek white gown at Tira store launch, see pics
Amid Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai divorce rumours, Jaya Bachchan surprises everyone with...
IND vs SA: Arshdeep Singh goes past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to become Indian pacer with most....
Mukesh Ambani, Isha Ambani’s luxury retail chain opens new store at...
PM Modi to receive Dominica’s highest national award for...
Shraddha Kapoor says people with big foreheads are…
'Busy making...': Kanhaiya Kumar sparks row with remarks on Devendra Fadnavis' wife; BJP hits back
'Full baarati vibes': Vietnamese man's epic 'nagin dance' steals show at Mumbai event
Tilak Varma credits THIS player for his century against South Africa, says 'He gave me...'
UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card 2024 to be released today at upsc.gov.in, check direct link to download
'Be prepared for...': Rupali Ganguly's stepdaughter Esha Verma REACTS to Rs 50 crore defamation case
Saudi, Iran: Cautious dance toward détente?
Anushka Sharma shares glimpse of Children’s Day special dish for daughter Vamika, son Akaay
Jaw-dropping! Man wraps massive green anaconda around his shoulders, internet says...
Donald Trump plans to end Russia-Ukraine war with THIS move, is expected to 'soon' appoint...
As pollution worsens in Delhi with AQI at 'severe' level, experts at COP29 urge India to...
SDM Assault Case: 60 people arrested in Rajasthan's Tonk
Veg thali cost more than non-veg thali in October, here's why
Land drug trafficking patterns in North-Eastern Region
Shillong Teer Result November 14, 2024: Know updates on lucky winning numbers
Mukesh Ambani's SUPERHIT offer for Jio users: Get unlimited validity for 84 days at just Rs...
Delhi air quality dips to 'severe' category as AQI nears dangerous...
Bigg Boss OTT-fame Bhojpuri actress Akshara Singh receives extortion threat
‘All I do is…’: After Arjun Kapoor confirms breakup with Malaika Arora, her cryptic video goes viral