A Bench comprising Chief Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice SS Nijjar on Thursday took up hearing of Airtel CMD Sunil Bharti Mittal’s petition challenging summons issued for his appearance by the 2G special court, in the process brushing aside the objection raised by the CBI which demanded the matter to be sent to the apex bench monitoring the 2G probe.
The case attracted attention last week when two judges withdrew from hearing the case without giving any reason that forced the CJI to constitute a new bench. Along with Bharti Cellular CMD, court was also hearing Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia, also issued summons to appear before the trial court in relation to the excess spectrum scam during the NDA rule in 2002.
CBI counsel senior advocate KK Venugopal raised objection at the start of proceeding but the bench wished to address the same after hearing all parties. Venugopal requested the matter to be sent to the bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi which is monitoring the 2G spectrum scam probe.
Mittal’s counsel senior advocate Harish Salve opposed the demand and said, “Once the charge sheet has been filed, the question of monitoring does not arise as it leads to snapping of the link with the court (monitoring the probe).”