2G court asks Mittal, Ruia to seek clarification from SC

Bharti Cellular CMD Sunil Mittal and Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia were today told by a Delhi court that there was "no stay" on the proceedings before it in additional spectrum allocation scam case and warned them it will go ahead with criminal process if they fail to seek clarification from the Supreme Court on the issue.

"After hearing the counsel for the parties at length, I am inclined to adjourn the matter for two weeks and in the meanwhile, the accused are at liberty to seek appropriate directions from the Supreme Court, failing which the matter shall be proceeded with further as submitted by the public prosecutor," Special CBI Judge O P Saini said in his written order.

The judge also told Mittal and Ruia that "there is no stay order as of now" from the apex court and adjourned the case for August 14 while asking both of them to get it clarified by the Supreme Court.

The issue was raised when lawyers, appearing for the two accused, sought adjournment saying the apex court had postponed the hearing before trial court till further orders on separate pleas filed by Mittal and Ruia while challenging the summoning order.

CBI, however, opposed their plea saying the proceedings had not been stayed by the apex court.

CBI Prosecutor K K Goel argued the orders passed by the apex court were for a specific duration for six weeks and thereafter no orders have been passed.

He said that as of now, there is no stay order and the matter might be proceeded with.

During the arguments, defence counsel sought adjournment of the proceedings before the trial court for two more weeks.