The Supreme Court on Wednesday continued the protection granted to Bharti Cellular limited CMD Sunil Bharti Mittal against appearing before a Delhi court in the 2G spectrum case.
Summoned by the Special 2G court in a case of alleged irregularities related to allocation of additional 2G spectrum in 2002, Mittal, along with Essar’s chief promoter Ravi Ruia, had approached the apex court. The bench headed by then Chief Justice (since retired) Altamas Kabir had directed the deferment on his appearance till his matter was finally decided by Court.
Appearing for Mittal, senior counsel Harish Salve sought a fresh clarification as the trial judge was given to understand that the protection offered to Mittal was for a limited period. However, the bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi refused to clarify as it felt the order passed by Court required no clarification. The trial court on July 31 had told the counsels for Mittal and Ruia to seek clarification on whether the protection offered by the apex court had come to an end. The apex court on April 26 gave a concession to the petitioners to give a personal bond against not appearing in the trial court.