SC dismisses plea of Essar and its promoters, in 2G scam

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the pleas of Ravi and Anshuman Ruia that challenged special CBI court's jurisdiction to put them on trial for their role in 2G scam.

The CBI had earlier said the Essar and its promoters were trying to scuttle the trial that was in an advanced stage, as the firm and Ruias challenged the magisterial court's jurisdiction, saying they have not been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA).

Essar's promoters had filed a petition challenging the jurisdiction of the special court and the company has moved an appeal against the trial court's September 2, 2013 order refusing to conduct a joint trial for them along with Raja and co-accused Kanimozhi.

The companies and their officials are facing trial before the special CBI court, set up specifically to hold trial in 2G scam case, as the apex court had earlier refused to stay the proceedings against them. They have been named in the charge-sheet under sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.

Other accused named in the third charge-sheet in 2G case are Anshuman and Ravi Ruia, along with Loop Telecom promoters Kiran Khaitan, her husband I.P. Khaitan and Essar Group Director (Strategy and Planning) Vikash Saraf.

The companies and their promoters have denied any involvement in the scam.