2G court pulls up Bollywood producer for error in application

A special court Friday pulled up Bollywood producer Karim Morani, accused in a 2G spectrum allocation case, for not filing an application in proper manner after observing typographical error in the plea.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O.P. Saini pulled up Morani while dismissing his plea seeking to travel Dubai from March 2 to March 9 as for finalizing locations for shooting and making all arrangements for shooting for film "Dilwale" of which is the creative producer.

The court observed that in the plea, the date mentioned are Sep 2, 2015 to Feb 2, 2015.

Morani's counsel claimed it was a typographical mistake.

"It may be so," the judge said.

"However, I may note with regret that this has become a practice in this case as most of the applications, whenever they are filed, remain full of such mistakes and the situation has not improved despite my repeatedly pointing out to advocates to avoid such type of bloomers and howlers, but there is no change in that.

"I find myself in instant agreement with the public prosecutors that the attitude of accused is quite casual in filing these applications with scant regard to the seriousness of the judicial proceedings," he added.

The casual attitude of the accused is apparent as the period mentioned in prayer clause does not rhyme with the period for which permission is sought, he said.

"How can it be a clerical or typographical mistake? It shows a very casual attitude as to what is being written or filed in the court," the judge said, rejecting the application and directing Morani to file a fresh one.

Meanwhile, the court allowed former telecom secretary Sidharath Behura to travel US from March 23 to April 1 to attend the wedding reception of his daughter.

Morani, Behura with former telecom minister A. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and others are facing trial in the 2G spectrum allocation case.