Judge to retire in November; 2G appeals must be heard urgently: ASG Sanjay Jain urges Delhi HC

Submitting that the Judge hearing the leave to appeal in 2G cases is slated to retire in November, Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain today pressed for urgent and out-of-turn hearing in the appeals before the Delhi High Court. (ED vs A Raja & Ors).ASG Jain appears on behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate. .2G Scam: Delhi HC directs plantation of over 15, 000 trees for failure to file replies in CBI, ED appeals.He made the submission before a Single Judge Bench of Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani. .The Court was hearing an application moved by one of the respondents in connection with the High Court's order of status quo on the release of properties attached in the case. .At the outset itself, it was pointed out that the 2G appeals are part-heard before another single Judge Bench of Justice Brijesh Sethi. .ASG Jain thus pleaded that the matter be directed to be listed before that Bench. .ASG Jain stated that he has already concluded submissions on behalf of CBI in the leave to appeal and would also like to make some "additional arguments" on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate. .Urging the Court to consider the 'judicial time' that the coordinate bench has spent on the case since October 2019, ASG Jain stated that the matter should go before Justice Sethi. .2G scam: CBI begins submissions in challenge to acquittal of A Raja and ors.He further pointed out that since Justice Sethi was due to retire in November 2020, the respondents i.e. A Raja and other acquitted accused, should also "assure" that they would conclude their submissions against the leave to appeal before September 2020. .Although counsel for the some of the Respondents, Advocate Vijay Aggarwal opposed the transfer of the matter to Justice Sethi's Bench on the ground that the CBI and ED cases were distinct, the Court deemed it appropriate to send the matter before Justice Sethi. .As per the Court's order, the matter would be heard next on August 17 by Justice Brijesh Sethi subject to the directions of the Chief Justice.