Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Sep 20: Hearing into the bail plea filed by former minister and senior leader of Congress party, D K Shivakumar, was adjourned by a special court at Delhi on Thursday September 19 to Saturday. Shivakumar, in the meanwhile, was lodged in a Tihar jail cell and became the neighbour for former union finance minister, P Chidambaram. 

Shivakumar, who had been admitted into Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, was discharged on Thursday after a health checkup. He had complained of chest pain and high blood pressure. Immediately thereafter, he was moved to Tihar jail.

Shivakumar has been placed in cell No. 7 while Chidambaram is in cell No. 15. However, chances of them meeting each other are extremely remote, it is gathered. 

Judge of the special court, Ajay Kumar Kuhar, on Thursday, directed the jail authorities to take good care of Shivakumar's health. It is gathered that Shivakumar will get vegetables, rice, dal and roti for lunch and dinner, and biscuits, khichdi and tea for breakfast. 

In his arguments against granting bail to Shivakumar, additional solicitor general, K M Nataraj, said on behalf of enforcement directorate that releasing Shivakumar on bail can obstruct investigation. He said that more than the amount involved, the nature of crime being serious, the case needs to be investigated in detail. He pointed out that Rs 1.38 crore agricultural revenue declared by Shivakumar had grown into Rs 800 crore in 20 years. Senior advocate, Dayan Krishnan, also argued on behalf of the Congress leader. After Shivakumar's counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, requested for more time to conclude his argument, the case was adjourned to Saturday. 

Hebbalkar questioned 

In the meanwhile, Belagavi rural MLA and Congress leader, Laxmi Hebbalkar, was questioned by enforcement directorate. Laxmi, who agreed that she was an associate of Shivakumar, has denied having any financial dealings with him. She said she was questioned for about an hour. 

Shivakumar's daughter, Aishwarya, was also questioned by the directorate on September 12 as she is also involved with certain entities where investments running into crores of rupees have been made.