[2G Appeals] File early hearing application if you want to advance date of hearing: Delhi HC tells CBI, ED

Following an oral request made by Additional Solicitor General, Sanjay Jain to fastrack hearing in appeals against the acquittal of all accused in 2G matters, the Delhi High Court today asked the investigating agencies, CBI and Enforcement Directorate, to file an early hearing application..A request was made while a Single Judge Bench of Justice Brijesh Sethi was hearing an application by M/S Conwood Construction & Developers (P) Ltd (Applicant), one of the acquitted entities in the money laundering case. .The Applicant seeks the modification of the High Court's order on maintenance of the status quo with respect to the release of properties attached in the money laundering case..Judge to retire in November; 2G appeals must be heard urgently: ASG Sanjay Jain urges Delhi HC.Drawing the Court's attention to the "larger issue" in the case, ASG Jain urged the Court to expeditiously dispose of CBI and Enforcement Directorate's leave to appeal. .ASG Jain pointed out that since Justice Sethi was set to demit office soon, the leave to appeal should be taken to "its logical conclusion" before then. ."Today, I'm making an oral request to revive .. at least the leave to appeal should be decided..", ASG Jain remarked as he pointed that the arguments in the CBI case were already at part-heard stage. .Appearing for the Applicant, Advocate Vijay Aggarwal stated that given the administrative orders passed by the High Court in view of COVID-19, no non-urgent matter could be taken up out of turn, more so without hearing the parties involved in the matter. .Advocate Aggarwal thus suggested that an early hearing application should be moved by the CBI and ED to advance the date of hearing which is now slated to be heard on October 12. .He also argued that no such request could be entertained solely on the ground that the Judge concerned is retiring. .We appear before the Chair not the Judge, he said. .After hearing the counsel, the Court asked the ASG Jain to move an early hearing application. .If you intend to file an early hearing application on any ground, move an application. We will decide it accordingly.Delhi High Court.The Court also issued notice in the application and listed the matter for further hearing on August 26.