New Delhi: With one of the judges recusing himself, the Supreme Court on Monday deferred the hearing till Thursday on the pleas of Bharti Cellular Ltd CMD Sunil Bharti Mittal and Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia challenging the summons issued to them as accused in a graft case related to allocation of additional 2G spectrum in 2002.
Though the apex court posted the hearing for April 18, the CBI said the matter should be referred to another bench headed by justice GS Singhvi, which has been monitoring the development into the investigation into the 2G spectrum scam and cases arising out of its probe.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir said it was extending its order of postponing the hearing against them in the Special CBI court which will take up the matter on April 22. However, the apex court said Mittal and Ruia will appear on Tuesday as scheduled before the Special CBI court dealing with the 2G spectrum cases and would offer personal bond of assurance for their appearance in future.
"Since the matter is listed before the trial court tomorrow. The petitioners shall appear in person and give a personal bond for appearance," the bench said while asking the trial judge to hold the next hearing on April 22. The apex court adjourned the hearing as Justice Vikramajit Sen opted to recuse himself.
"Justice Sen has problem in hearing this matter," Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, who was heading the three-judge bench, said without assigning any reason. The other judge with the CJI and Justice Sen was Justice AR Dave. The CJI said since Justice Sen has opted himself out from hearing the matter, he along with Justice Dave can hear it.
"Two of us excluding justice Sen will hear the matter," said the CJI, who was told by CBI counsel and senior advocate KK Venugopal that the matter can be heard by a bench headed by justice GS Singhvi.
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