BackEssar-Loop case: Court to hear final arguments from 20 November
The special CBI court on Monday finished recording defence evidence in the case, which is related to the 2G spectrum allocation case
Premium
New Delhi: A special court on Monday concluded the recording of defence evidence in a case arising out of the probe into the 2G spectrum allocation case, allegedly involving promoters of Essar Group, Loop Telecom and others, and fixed the matter for commencement of final arguments on 20 November.
Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) judge O.P. Saini, who is exclusively dealing with cases relating to the 2G spectrum allocation, closed the defence evidence during which the accused examined 12 witnesses in their defence.
“Put up the matter for 20 November for final arguments," the judge said.
Essar Group promoters Ravi Ruia and Anshuman Ruia, Loop Telecom promoters Kiran Khaitan, her husband I.P. Khaitan and Essar Group director (strategy and planning) Vikash Saraf are facing trial in the case along with three telecom firms—Loop Telecom Ltd, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding Ltd.
All of them have denied the charges levelled by CBI. The court on 25 May 2012 had framed charges against all the accused under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), while the charge of cheating was made out against Saraf only.
During the recording of prosecution evidence in the case, which had commenced on 26 July 2012, the court had recorded the statements of 95 CBI witnesses, running into 1,056 pages.
The CBI had charge-sheeted all the accused on 12 December 2011, alleging that they had cheated the department of telecommunication (DoT) by using Loop Telecom as a “front" to secure 2G licences in 2008.
The court, on 10 September, had concluded the recording of defence evidence in the 2G spectrum allocation case allegedly involving former telecom minister A. Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and 15 others who are facing trial.
The court had fixed 10 November for hearing the final arguments in the case, in which the CBI had alleged that there was a loss of ₹ 30,984 crore to the exchequer in the allocation of 122 licences for 2G spectrum, which were scrapped by the Supreme Court on 2 February 2012. PTI
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!
