Diwali Lights Out for South Indian Politicians

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama) -- Several top south Indian politicians facing graft charges face a drab festival of lights in dingy jails after Indian courts refused bail.

While millions of Indians prepare to rejoice the glittering Diwali (Deepavali) festival on Wednesday, at least three prominent ministers are still huddled in prisons.

A trail court on Monday delayed Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) leader K. Kanmozhi's bail plea, dashing hopes of freedom after nearly five months in jail.

"We have done what we could. It is sad I could not be home for Diwali but we will continue our battle," Kanmozhi was quoted as saying by a local television channel after the court's decision.

Kanimozhi, 43, daughter of maverick ex-chief minister of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi, is facing charges for accepting bribes from the controversial mobile phone spectrum licensing scam.

The same court also refused bail to 16 others involved in the same corruption case, including former Indian Telecom minister A. Raja, alleged prime accused in the fiasco.

He was alleged to have sold licences, by violating rules, to well-linked telco firms at cheap rates, leading to massive losses to the Indian exchequer -- valued at nearly US$38 billion.

Both Kanimozhi and Raja are locked up in Tihar Jail in Delhi for the scam -- which rocked the Indian government and sent several corporate honchos to jail this year.

Meanwhile, former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa would spend Diwali behind bars after High Court in Bangalore deferred his bail petition to 28th October.

The 68-year-old powerful leader was jailed on 15th October for graft related to the sale of government land. He is currently lodged at Bangalore's Central Jail. -- NNN-BERNAMA