New Delhi, October 2: The Apex Court, on Tuesday, dismissed pleas of Essar Teleholdings Ltd and its promoters, challenging the Special 2G Trial Court’s jurisdiction to hold trial against them in the case arising out of the probe in the 2G spectrum scam.
The Supreme Court dismissed the petitions which challenged the jurisdiction of the Special Court to try them.
Ruias had contended that their case ought to be tried in an ordinary magisterial court since they had not been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Essar’s Counsel and Senior Advocate Harish Salve had submitted that their case should be heard afresh by a magistrate’s court since they were charged with the offence of cheating under the Indian Penal Code and the CBI had not made out a case of corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He also sought a joint trial with other accused in the main 2G Spectrum Scam Case involving former Telecom Minister, A Raja and others.
The CBI had, however, opposed Ruias’ plea. It said, a joint trial would amount to further delaying of criminal proceedings for four more years.
Special Public Prosecutor Anand Grover, appointed by the SC, said Ruias were indulging in a second round of legal battle as another Bench on July 1, 2013 had dismissed their plea of averting the jurisdiction of the Special Court.
A COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE FOR ALL LEGAL DEVELOPMENTS