A special CBI court investigating 2G spectrum allocation case on Wednesday exempted Ravikant Ruia and Anshuman Ruia of the Essar Group and Loop Telecom promoters Kiran Khaitan and  I.P. Khaitan  from personal appearance in the court.

The court granted exemption to all four accused and directed them to appear on the next date of hearing. The matter has been listed for March 17.

The court also listed the bail application of  Vikas Saraf of Essar group for march 17.

The defense counsel of Ravi Ruia and Anshuman Ruia, a promoter of the Essar group, told special CBI judge O.P. Saini that they were outside India. The defense counsel of the two other accused, Loop Telecom promoters I.P. Khaitan and Kiran Khaitan, moved the application of exemption on health grounds.

"Exemption applications of four accused (Ruias and Khaitans) are allowed for today only," Special CBI Judge O P Saini said after taking note of submission of Special Public Prosecutor U U Lalit that the agency was not opposing their plea.