2G case: Karim Morani allowed to go abroad for film shooting

Bollywood producer Karim Morani, accused in two separate 2G spectrum scam cases, was today allowed by a special court to travel abroad after he said he has to visit Turkey and Iceland for making arrangements for shooting of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer upcoming movie 'Dilwale'.
Special CBI Judge O P Saini allowed Morani's plea seeking permission to travel to these two countries from August 21 to August 31, saying he has been earlier allowed to go abroad on several occasions during the trial and he has complied with all the conditions imposed upon him.
"Moreover, the cases are not listed for trial during the period commencing from August 21 to August 31, as such, his (Morani) presence would not be required before the court," the court said.

"For these reasons, I am inclined to allow the applications and he is permitted to travel to Istanbul (Turkey) and Iceland from August 21 to August 31, subject to the same conditions," the judge said.
In separate applications, Morani said he was in the business of film production and has been engaged as a creative producer and director of the movie 'Dilwale'.
He said he is required to travel to Istanbul in Turkey and Iceland from August 21 to August 31 to make all arrangements for shooting of a song for the movie, which is going to commence from August 17.

Morani also contended that film business was his only source of livelihood.

CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) both opposed Morani's plea saying the applications were filed in a casual manner and as trial of these cases were at a critical stage, the accused may misuse the liberty granted to him.
Both the probe agencies argued that Morani's plea were not supported by any valid documents.
Morani is facing trial along with others in 2G spectrum allocation scam case probed by CBI as well as a separate money laundering case in which ED had chargesheeted him and others.
Former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and several other accused are facing trial in these two cases.