Jethmalani defends Kanimozhi, BJP attacks her

NEW DELHI: BJP today faced an embarrasing situation when party MP and senior lawyer Ram Jethmalani defended DMK leader Kanimozhi in court in the 2G scam pay-off case against which the main opposition has attacked her in and outside Parliament.

Jethmalani, an eminent criminal lawyer, appeared for Kanimozhi in the Patiala court here and moved a bail application on her behalf in the 2G case, saying she had no role in the conspiracy hatched by former Telecom Minister A Raja.

The allegation against her is that Rs 200 Crore pay-off money from the scam was transferred to Kalaignar TV in which she has a 20 per cent stake.

Jethmalani is a BJP MP in the Rajya Sabha from Rajasthan.

Asked about Jethmalani fighting the case of Kanimozhi, party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said the professional and political life of a person are different. As a lawyer Jethmalani is free to take up any case, he maintained.

"It is a professional assignment.... Our campaign (against those involved in 2G scam) is strong and will become more stronger," he said.

Jethmalani was not available for comment as he was busy in a meeting, his office said.