2G: DoT seeks time to file reply on Loop's settlement plea

The telecom department today sought more time from a Delhi court for filing its reply on a plea filed by Loop Telecom seeking directions for referring the matter to Lok Adalat for "settlement" in a case arising out of the 2G probe.
The Department of Telecommunication (DoT), which was scheduled to file its reply today, said they were in the process of preparing their response to the plea in which Loop Telecom Ltd (LTL) had said that the offences alleged against it are compoundable.
"We are preparing the view. It is in process," the DoT official, who appeared in the court, said.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini said the matter is "serious" and the DoT cannot take the decision hurriedly.
"This is such a serious matter. I do not think somebody will take decision so shortly," the judge said and fixed the matter for further proceedings on March 14.
Initially the matter was being fixed for April 4 but senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, who appeared for Loop Telecom, told the court that the matter should be heard expeditiously.

Senior public prosecutor K K Goel, who appeared for CBI, told the court that in the case, there are eight accused and only Loop Telecom has filed the plea for settlement.

"Technically only one accused has filed the petition. There are total eight accused and only one has filed the petition," the prosecutor said, adding, "If the defence counsel wants to take the matter hurriedly then CBI is not interested in settlement in the case".
The matter was, however, fixed for March 14.
The court on December 16 last year had issued notices to the CBI and DoT seeking their replies on LTL's plea.
The plea was filed after LTL, charge sheeted by CBI along with the promoters of Essar Group and Loop Telecom, had approached the court for an appropriate direction to the Centre for compounding the case in Lok Adalat.

Lok Adalat is an alternate dispute resolution mechanism by which the parties involved in civil and compoundable criminal cases try to arrive at a compromise to settle their case. If the concerned parties do not arrive at a compromise, the matter is remanded back to the court for disposal.