Kanimozhi asks High Court to drop her from telecom case

New Delhi:  Kanimozhi, the Rajya Sabha MP who spent six months in jail, has asked the Delhi High Court to drop the charges that led to her arrest in the telecom scam.  Her lawyers say that there is no evidence that she conspired with the others being tried for the swindle, including her party's A Raja, the former telecom minister who is still in jail.

The CBI has accused Kanimozhi of criminal conspiracy, cheating and attempt to bribe a public servant, Mr Raja. She was granted bail in November. Kanimzohi's father heads the DMK and is a powerful member of the ruling UPA coalition at the Centre.

Kanimozhi was arrested because a firm part-owned by her, Kalaignar TV, allegedly served as the landing place for  a 214-crore bribe for Mr Raja.  The money was sent, according to the CBI, by Swan Telecom which had won an out-of-turn telecom license from Mr Raja in 2008.  The money was allegedly routed through a maze of companies all associated with or owned by Swan.

But Kanimozhi's lawyers say that she was only a shareholder in Kalaignar TV and that she played no role in its management's decisions.  They also say that the money that was paid to Kalaignar TV was a laon that was returned with interest. The CBI says the money was sent back only after the case against Mr Raja began picking up speed.

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