2G: Tina Ambani seeks exemption from court appearance

Tina Ambani, wife of Reliance Group chairman Anil Ambani, Monday moved a Delhi court seeking exemption from personal appearance before it Aug 23 to depose as prosecution witnesses in the 2G case.

Citing prior commitments, Tina Ambani, moved an application before Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O.P. Saini and requested it to fix a new date.

The court listed the plea for arguments Aug 21.

In her application, Tina Ambani said: "I wish to state that owing to prior commitments, it will not be possible for me to travel to Delhi on Aug 23."

The court earlier issued summons to Anil and Tina Ambani for recording their statement as prosecution witnesses Aug 22 and 23, respectively.

Tina Ambani's application said: "I request your honour to kindly grant an adjournment for my appearance and fix a new date at any time towards the end of September or preferably October at your convenience."

CBI prosecutor K.K. Goel opposed the application saying it was an attempt of dragging the trial.

The trial court had earlier allowed the CBI's plea to make Anil Ambani, his wife and 11 others prosecution witnesses in the case.

There are, however, no charges against Anil Ambani and his wife.

One of the main contentions of the probe agency for calling Ambanis as prosecution witnesses was that Swan Telecom, which was among the companies that got telecom spectrum and licence in 2008, was a shell of Anil Ambani Group and was hence not eligible - a matter that has been denied by the defence.

The CBI said Tina Ambani presided over meetings where key decisions on 2G were taken.

Three executives of Reliance Group and the promoters of Swan are facing trial