SC exempts Samsung CEO from appearing before court

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted exemption from personal appearance to Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee in criminal cases, including one filed by Indian firm JCE Consultancy against him for allegedly cheating it of $1.4 million. A bench, comprising Judges P C Ghose and R F Nariman, ordered transfer of as many as three criminal cases, pending against 75year-old Lee, from Uttar Pradesh to a magisterial court at the Patiala House Courts here. The bench also asked the police to conclude the probe in one of the cases against Lee within three months from today and file a report. Senior advocate Gopal Subramaniam, assisted by lawyer Nar Hari Singh, appeared for Lee in the apex court.