HC refuses to spare 2G case accused of penalty task of nurturing trees
The Delhi High Court Wednesday refused to accept the request of Swan Telecom promoter Shahid Usman Balwa and others to spare them from the task of taking care of the trees which they were directed to plant as a penalty for failing to file on time their response on the ED and CBI's appeals challenging their acquittals in 2G cases, saying they were affluent people and can afford the cost.
After the accused cited the "excessive" cost involved, Justice Najmi Waziri said they will have to plant and nurture the trees till rainy season and they can bear the expenses as they reside in posh areas of Mumbai with "fancy addresses".
However, the court agreed to reduce the number of trees to be planted by Balwa and businessman Rajiv Agarwal.
Balwa and Agarwal, who were earlier asked to plant 3,000 trees, will now have to plant 1,500 trees.
Advocate Vijay Aggarwal, appearing for Balwa and Agarwal, submitted that they welcome the court order for plantation of trees and were ready to comply with it ..