New Delhi:
Kanimozhi, who is expected to leave Tihar Jail today, is likely to head to Chennai on Saturday for a few days. The Rajya Sabha MP who was arrested in May for her alleged role in the telecom scam was granted bail yesterday by the Delhi High Court. (
Read: Who is Kanimozhi?)
Her father, M Karunanidhi, who heads the DMK, had said yesterday that the party would prepare "some sort of welcome for her, though not a big one." Sources in the DMK say the party will attempt to confer some sort of martyr status on her for the six months she has spent in prison.
Kanimozhi, dressed in a pink
salwaar-kameez, spent the day at the court headed by Judge OP Saini, who is handling the telecom trial. When she leaves Tihar Jail this evening, she will be greeted by senior DMK leaders including T R Baalu and her step-brother, MK Alagiri.
The telecom scam has ripped through the core of the DMK, leaving the party's first family heavily exposed. In addition to Kanimozhi, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is investigating Mr Karunanidhi's great-nephew, Dayanidhi Maran, for corruption during his term as Telecom Minister. A Raja, the party's Dalit leader known for his proximity to both Kanimozhi and her father, has been described by the CBI as the mastermind of the 2G scam for allegedly giving away telecom licenses and spectrum at hefty bargains to companies he conspired with. Mr Raja is in jail. Kanimozhi is accused of allowing a TV channel partly owned by her to serve as a front for a huge kickback he received from a grateful telecom.
Kanimozhi's travel to Chennai will have to take into account all court conditions that accompany her bail. Currently, she is required to attend daily hearings at Judge Saini's court.
A total of 14 people were arrested for the telecom scam - 11 of them have been granted bail so far.