Kanimozhi, a high-profile Rajya Sabha M.P of DMK and daughter of party’s nonagenarian president M. Karunanidhi, was visibly in tears when Justice O.P. Saini of a special CBI Court pronounced his verdict in the years-long multi-crore 2-G spectrum scam. Tears of joy rolled down her cheek as she was present at the Court along with her husband.

In one of the most-awaited verdicts in the history of Indian judiciary, Justice O.P. Saini acquitted Kanimozhi and former Union Telecom Minister and DMK leader A. Raja and 12 other main accused in the more than 1.70 lakh crore scam, stating in his verdict that he was releasing the accused persons as the CBI had ‘failed to produce substantial evidence’ to link them to the scam.

“Justice has won and prevailed,” were Kanimozhi’s instant reaction soon after the verdict was pronounced. “I’m happy and find myself at peace only now after many, many years,” she said. Back home, the DMK cadres had started celebrating the verdict in Chennai and other parts of the State by celebrating crackers and distributing sweets among themselves and to well-wishers and the people.

Kanimozhi had arrived early in the morning at the Court premises with husband Arvind. Senior DMK leaders T.R. Baalu, Trichy Siva and Durai Murugan besides her half-brother M.K. Azhagirl were also present at the Court to offer moral support to her. Reading out his verdict at 10:45 a.m., Justice Saini acquitted Raja, Kanimozhi and 12 others for want of evidence against them.

In the meantime, the CBI is said to be preparing to challenge the verdict of the special Court by filing an appeal with the Supreme Court of India.