2G case: Order reserved on Loop's plea

A court here Friday reserved its order on a plea filed by Loop Telecom seeking directions for referring the matter to the Lok Adalat.

The order came after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) filed their reply on the matter.

CBI Special Judge O.P. Saini fixed March 22 to deliver its order on the Loop's plea.

The court Dec 16 last year issued notice to the CBI and the DoT, seeking their response on the plea.

Loop Telecom Ltd filed a plea seeking the court's direction for referring the matter to the Lok Adalat, a system of alternative dispute resolution that focuses on compromise between two parties for settlement, saying the offences alleged against the firm were compoundable.

The recording of the statements of the accused in the 2G spectrum case against Essar and Loop Telecom promoters will commence from April 4.

The two firms are facing charges of criminal conspiracy for cheating the DoT.

A third set of charges filed by the CBI alleged that promoters of the Essar Group were the real investors and beneficiaries of the spectrum and licenses issued to Loop Telecom, which was used as a front company by Essar to acquire 2G licenses and spectrum in 2008.

This has been denied by the firm.