2G: CBI opposes Balwa's plea, says he went abroad without prior permission

CBI today opposed in a Delhi court the plea of Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa, facing trial in the 2G spectrum case, seeking exemption from personal appearance, saying the agency has got "information" that he has travelled abroad without prior permission.

The agency made this statement in the court when Balwa's counsel Vijay Aggarwal moved an application seeking exemption from personal appearance from September 2 to September 6 on grounds of "emergency".

CBI prosecutor K K Goel opposed the plea, saying that they have got some information "otherwise" about Balwa and the accused should honour the court.

"I am opposing it (application). This should not be out and out. He (Balwa) should honour the court. We have heard otherwise so I am opposing it," Goel told Special CBI Judge O P Saini, adding that sanction for exemption should not be taken as "deemed".

The prosecutor initially argued that he does not want to "divulge" the information but later on he said CBI has got information that Balwa has travelled abroad.

To this, Aggarwal argued that he has also heard some "rumour" regarding this and CBI "should not act on rumours".

He told the court that he has also come to know about "this rumour" that Balwa had gone abroad but it was not possible "as his passport is lying in the court".

He also said that Balwa could not come to the court today but he will appear before it tomorrow morning.

Balwa is facing trial in 2G case along with others including former Telecom Minister A Raja and was granted bail by the special court on November 29, 2011.

The judge had imposed several conditions on him including that he will surrender his passport in the court and will not leave the country without its prior permission.

The court had said Balwa, who was arrested on February 8, 2011, should not remain absent from any proceedings related to the case without its prior permission and should also inform CBI about the same.