Swan Telecom promoters Shahid Usman Balwa and Vinod Goenka, accused in the 2G case, were today granted three days exemption from personal appearance by a Delhi court as they have to consult lawyers in Mumbai for a cheating case filed against them by foreign partner Etisalat.
Special CBI judge O P Saini exempted Balwa and Goenka from appearing in the court for three days on February 27 after they said that Abu Dhabi-based Etisalat has filed a cheating and forgery case against them in Bombay High Court and they have to engage counsel for the case.
"A case of cheating and forgery has been filed against us (Balwa and Goenka) by Etisalat and we need to go Mumbai urgently to engage advocates for the new case and to brief them about it," counsel for Balwa and Goenka said.
The counsel said they were also going to Mumbai with their clients to brief the matter to other advocates there.
They had sought exemption for five days but the special judge granted three days and also directed their counsel to remain present during the court proceedings so that their identity should not be disputed.
Etisalat had yesterday said that it had filed a lawsuit against the promoters of Swan Telecom (now Etisalat DB) alleging fraud and misrepresentation.
The UAE-based firm in 2008 had paid USD 900 million for 45 per cent stake in Balwa-promoted Swan Telecom, which was later renamed Etisalat DB.
Etisalat had earlier announced shutting of its operations in India following the Supreme Court order cancelling the telecom licenses granted during the tenure of former telecom minister A Raja in 2008.