Speeding up the appeal process in 2G scam cases, the Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the CBI, ED, former Telecom Minister A Raja and others to file their submissions in the appeals challenging the acquittal by the trial court. Justice DK Sharma said the parties shall file brief written submissions not exceeding five pages. The CBI demanded day-to-day hearings and its counsel urged the court to list the matter on an early date when he would argue on the aspect of granting leave to appeal, the judge fixed the matter for May 22 and 23.
The CBI and ED filed appeal against the trial court’s verdict acquitting all accused persons on March 2018, five years ago. There were 95 listings and seven judges presided on the appeal process. At one point Justice Najmi Waziri in mid 2018, fined some accused for delaying the process and ordered them to plant 16,000 trees at Delhi Ridge forest area.
“The matter requires urgent hearing. Fix anytime of the day for conducting day-to-day hearing in the matter,” the CBI counsel submitted.
Though the CBI had earlier concluded its submissions on the issue of leave to appeal, it will have to argue the matter afresh due to change of the judge.
Leave to appeal is a formal permission granted by a court to a party to challenge a decision in a higher court.
Earlier, the case was being heard on a day-to-day basis by Justice Brijesh Sethi, who retired on November 30 and had released the matter from his board on November 23 owing to paucity of time. Before retiring, Justice Sethi had decided various petitions and applications filed by the acquitted individuals and firms in the three cases arising out of the 2G scam probe lodged by the CBI and ED.