2G PMLA case: Accused' pleas without proper details irk court

NEW DELHI: Irked over filing of applications by accused without "requisite details", the special 2G court today disposed of separate petitions filed by Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa and Bollywood producer Karim Morani seeking permission to travel abroad.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini observed that despite pointing out to the defence counsel several times to file pleas having requisite details and supported by relevant documents, the accused have not paid any attention to it.

"Without going much into details of the submission, I find it appropriate to point out that I myself have pointed out to the advocates on numerous occasions to file applications containing requisite details and also supported by relevant documents, but perhaps that has not been heeded to," he said.

"I find myself in instant agreement with the special public prosecutor that the applications (filed by Balwa and Morani) do not bear the requisite seriousness which is apparent by the filing of repeated additional applications," the judge said.

Balwa and Morani are among the 19 accused chargesheeted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a 2G scam related money laundering case.

They had filed separate applications in the court seeking permission to go abroad.

The court, in its order, observed that Special Public Prosecutor Anand Grover had argued that their pleas were not supported by requisite documents and the court was being taken for granted as applications were filed in a casual manner.

The court also noted that additional applications were filed by both the accused in which some further details and supporting documents were given by them.

It disposed of both the petitions and gave liberty to the accused to file fresh pleas containing requisite details.

"Accordingly, both applications are disposed of with liberty to the applicants/accused persons to file fresh application containing requisite details and supported by relevant documents," the court said.

Besides Balwa and Morani, former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi, DMK supremo M Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal and others have been chargesheeted by the ED in the case.