2G case: Court respite for promoters of Essar Teleholdings and Loop Telecom

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court exempted promoters of Essar Teleholdings and Loop Telecom from appearing before it on Wednesday, but asked them to be present on March 17, the next date of hearing.

Appearing through their lawyers, Essar Group promoters Anshuman and Ravi Ruia and Loop Telecom promoters IP Khaitan and Kiran Khaitan sought exemption from the CBI Special Court for appearing in person.

Last month, the CBI special court had issued fresh summons to these executives as well as Essar Group's director for strategy and planning Vikas Saraf and ordered them to appear before it on February 22.

The court exempted these executives as the Central Bureau of Investigation did not oppose their plea.

Saraf, who appeared in person along with his legal counsel, filed an application for bail, which will also be heard on March 17. Special CBI Judge OP Saini asked the probe agency to file a reply to the plea.

The CBI in its third set of charges accused the Ruias, Khaitans, Saraf and three companies - Loop Telecom Pvt Ltd, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding - of criminal conspiracy and cheating the telecoms department to secure mobile permits in 2008.