Kanimozhi bail plea dismissed

12.24pm: Congress spokesperson Manish Tiwari said that although the news is shocking, “It is not the end of the road for the 2G accused.” DMK leader Khushboo said that they will comment only when the appropriate time arrives.

12.17pm: The 2G accused have begun leaving court. Kanimozhi left with her son and husband. Firstpost reporter Pallavi Polanki says that emotional relatives are hugging and kissing the accused before they are taken back into custody.

12.03pm: Ram Jethmalani speaking to CNN-IBN has said that the judgement was ‘insupportable’. He added, “It seems the subordinate judiciary has totally lost its will to do justice they want everything to be done by the Supreme Court”.

11.45pm: A lawyer for the accused speaking to the media says that the withholding of bail cannot be used as a punitive measure and says that they will appeal the decision. Reading out the ruling, the court said that bail was not granted because the charges levelled against the accused are very serious, it is an economic offense, and public money is involved. It also dismissed the argument that Kanimozhi should get bail because she is a woman, saying that by no stretch of imagination was she facing discrimination because of her gender.

11.29pm Firstpost reporter Pallavi Polanki reports, “Relatives in shock and disbelief at the order. Emotional moment for them. Well wishers and relatives are crowding around Kani. Lawyers are with their clients discussing their next step”.

11.24am: The Court explaining the decision, says it did not grant the bail as the charges levelled against the accused are very serious, it is an economic offense, and public money is involved. The 2G trial will begin from 11 November.

11.13am: Media are all asked to leave. A visibly upset Kanimozhi lashes out at the media saying, “are you human?!”

11.01am: All the bail pleas including that of Kanimozhi have been dismissed. Firstpost reporter Pallavi Polanki reports, “Kani camp shocked. She is heard saying, ‘he wants to send a strong message’. Kanimozhi’s husband is very upset. Some of of her well wishers are in tears. There is utter silence in court. Everyone seems stunned by the verdict”.

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10.57am: Accused have all arrived in court. Court now open for proceedings.

10.34am Firstpost reporter Pallavi Polanki reports, “The premises of special CBI court packed with relatives of the 2G accused who await verdict on their bail. Court not opened yet.

10.00am: DMK MP Kanimozhi arrives at Patiala court to hear the verdict on her bail plea. Senior DMK leaders including TR Baalu are also present at the court. Kanimozhi who has been in Tihar jail for the past 5 months now, has sought bail on grounds of being a woman and a mother. The CBI has not opposed the plea.

In October Kanimozhi and the others were charged on several counts including criminal breach of trust in relation to the 2G scam, which is punishable with life imprisonment.

Earlier last week, Kanimozhi’s father and DMK patriarch Karunanidhi was in New Delhi expecting to her to get bail before diwali. His meeting with Sonia Gandhi only intensified speculations that the bail would be granted. The special CBI court, however, reserved its order much to his disappointment.

The main petitioner Subramanian Swamy speaking to media earlier, said that the CBI was “ill advised” not to oppose bail for Kanimozhi, adding that he hoped the judge would ’exercise autonomy’ and deny the bail plea today.