2G spectrum case: Kanimozhi allowed to cast vote in Vice-Presidential poll

NEW DELHI: DMK MP Kanimozhi, facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case, was today allowed by a Delhi court to cast her vote in the Vice-Presidential poll.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini permitted Kanimozhi, a Rajya Sabha MP from Tamil Nadu, to leave the court in the morning to vote in the Vice-Presidential election today.

"I may further add that accused Kanimozhi Karunanithi was permitted to leave the court in the morning for voting in the vice presidential election as prayed by her, subject to the conditions that her identity shall not be disputed and her counsel shall remain present in the court and shall actually participate in the court proceedings," the judge said.

The court's order came on an oral plea for exemption from the court proceedings by Kanimozhi which the CBI did not oppose.

Kanimozhi and former Telecom Minister A Raja, along with 15 others, are facing trial for their alleged roles in the 2G scam and are presently out on bail.

All the accused have been charge-sheeted by the CBI for allegedly committing various offences under the Indian Penal Code, including those of criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust by public servant, forgery and fabrication of evidences. They are also facing trial under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

During the day's proceedings, the court also recorded the statement of key prosecution witness A K Srivastava, a former senior official of the Department of Telecom (DoT).

The recording of statement of Srivastava, who retired as deputy director general (DDG) (Access Service) from the DoT, was stalled during the pre-lunch session as the lawyers were observing a hunger-strike at Patiala House courts to protest again.