2G: Court notice to DoT, CBI

A special court hearing the 2G case Monday issued notice to the CBI and the department of telecommunications (DoT) on a plea filed by Loop Telecom Ltd seeking directions for referring the matter to the Lok Adalat.

Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Judge O.P. Saini issued notice to CBI and DoT and posted the matter for Feb 20, 2014.

Loop Telecom Limited 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.

Loop and the Essar Group are facing charges of criminal conspiracy for cheating the department of telecommunications (DoT).

A third set of charges filed by the CBI in the 2G case 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 the Essar Group to acquire the 2G licenses and spectrum in 2008.

This has been denied by the accused.