Thaindian News

Chennai, Nov 3 (IANS) Gloom hung over DMK president M. Karunanidhi’s residence here Thursday, much like the dark and overcast sky outside, as the former chief minister’s daughter Kanimozhi was denied bail by a CBI court in New Delhi - for the fourth time.

According to party officials, Karunanidhi is shocked and upset at the court’s denial of bail to his daughter.

All the plans of a grand welcome were washed away. Former deputy chief minister and Karunanidhi’s son M.K. Stalin, who went to New Delhi to bring back his step-sister, would be returning empty handed after the court hearing the 2G spectrum scam denied Kanimozhi and seven others bail.

Stalin went to New Delhi Wednesday to escort Kanimozhi back home if she was given bail.

According to party officials, Karunanidhi had planned to go to the Chennai airport to receive Kanimozhi.

Following denial of bail, Karunanidhi decided to confine himself to his residence and did not visit the party headquarters here.

Kanimozhi has been lodged in the Tihar Jail since May, charged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as a co-conspirator in the mega 2G spectrum allotment scam.

“Party leaders are in shock. The party will remain silent,” a DMK leader told IANS.

Expectations of bail for Kanimozhi ran high as the CBI did not oppose her release when her bail application came up for hearing earlier.

This was the fourth time that Kanimozhi was refused bail. She has been in jail since May 20 for allegedly helping fellow DMK members and former communications minister A. Raja accept a Rs.200 crore in kickbacks.

In Kanimozhi’s three earlier attempts for bail, including one that was heard by the Supreme Court, the CBI had contested her petitions.