SC junks Essar's plea challenging 2G court's jurisdiction

They had argued the charges against them belong to crimes listed under sections 120B and 420 of IPC and, therefore, they should be prosecuted in a magistrate's court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed pleas of Essar Teleholdings and its promoters Ravi and Anshuman Ruia, challenging the court's jurisdiction to try them in the case arising out of the probe in the second-generation (2G) spectrum scam.

They had argued the charges against them of cheating, conspiracy and other offences belong to crimes listed under sections 120B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code and, therefore, they should be prosecuted in a magistrate's court.

They wanted to start the prosecution after from the start. The special court dealt with prevention of corruption matters only, they contended, and they were charged with ordinary offences.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had opposed their plea. The CBI argued the plea for de-linking was a ploy to delay the trial, when the proceedings had moved forward substantially in four years.

The SC bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu dismissed the petition. CBI had also opposed their second plea for joint trial with other accused in the main 2G spectrum scam case involving former telecom minister A Raja, saying this will amount to further delaying of criminal proceedings.