Hearing on additional spectrum grant during NDA regime adjourned

The hearing of a case relating to grant of additional spectrum to private operators through a January 2002 central government decision, during the NDA regime, was Friday posted for May 28 by a Delhi court.

The hearing in the case was stayed April 26, 2013 by the Supreme Court which said that proceedings in the trial court would remain "postponed" until further orders.

The Supreme Court's order came on the pleas of Bharti Cellular CMD Sunil Mittal and Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia, challenging the special court's March 19, 2013 order, by which it summoned them as accused in the case.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O.P. Saini adjourned proceedings till May 28.

Former telecom secretary Shyamal Ghosh, also an accused in the case, was present.

The CBI filed a charge sheet Dec 21, 2012, accusing three telecom firms, Bharti Cellular Ltd, Hutchison Max Telecom Pvt Ltd (now known as Vodafone India Ltd.), and Sterling Cellular Ltd (now known as Vodafone Mobile Service Ltd) and Ghosh.

The case relates to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) allocating additional spectrum in a decision taken Jan 31, 2002, when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was in power, allegedly resulting in a loss of Rs.846 crore to the exchequer.

Although the CBI did not name Mittal, Ruia and then managing director of Hutchison Max Telecom Pvt Ltd, Asim Ghosh, as accused, the special court issued summons to them.