2G:Ruias, Khaitans told to appear in court "in their interest"

New Delhi, Mar 17: Essar Group promoters Anshuman and Ravi Ruia, accused in a case flowing out of the 2G scam, were today directed by a Delhi Court to appear in person before it with a warning they would suffer if they do not do so. The warning came from Special CBI Judge O P Saini after the Ruias and Loop Telecom promoters I P Khaitan and Kiran Khaitan also failed to turn up at the hearing today.

"It would be better and in their interest to appear before the court. People do not follow my advice and then they suffer," the Special CBI Judge said after they did not appear personally before him and were represented by their lawyers. The judge allowed their plea for exemption from personal appearance for the day after their counsel said the matter regarding jurisdiction of the special court in taking cognisance of the CBI charge sheet against them was pending in the Supreme Court.

The court has now listed the matter for further hearing on March 31. During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ruias, said hearing in the apex court would continue in the next week. "The hearing in the Supreme Court on jurisdiction has started and it (hearing) is kept for next Friday. Kindly give us three weeks time," Rohatgi said.

The court, however, said it would not give time to them on the ground that matter is pending before the Supreme Court. "You will get the time but not on this count (that matter is pending in the apex court) only," the court said. On this, Rohatgi said the accused were seeking exemption on the similar grounds which they had cited on February 22 when they had sought exemption from appearance in the court.

PTI