Essar-Loop case: Court to hear final arguments from Nov 20

CBI had chargesheeted all the accused in Dec 2011, alleging that they had cheated the DoT

A special court today concluded recording of defence evidence in a case arising out of the probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam allegedly involving promoters of Essar Group, Loop Telecom and others and fixed the matter for commencement of final arguments on November 20.

Special CBI Judge O P Saini, who is exclusively dealing with cases relating to 2G spectrum scam, closed the defence evidence during which the accused examined 12 witnesses in their defence.

"Put up the matter for November 20 for final arguments," the judge said.

Essar Group promoters Ravi Ruia and Anshuman Ruia, Loop Telecom promoters Kiran Khaitan, her husband I P Khaitan and Essar Group Director (Strategy and Planning) Vikash Saraf are facing trial in the case along with three telecom firms -- Loop Telecom Ltd, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding Ltd. All of them have denied the charges levelled by CBI.

The court on May 25, 2012 had framed charges against all the accused under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with section 420 (cheating) of IPC, while the charge of cheating was made out against Saraf only.

During the recording of prosecution evidence in the case, which had commenced on July 26, 2012, the court had recorded statements of 95 CBI witnesses, running into 1,056 pages.

CBI had chargesheeted all the accused on December 12, 2011, alleging that they had cheated the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) by using Loop Telecom as a "front" to secure 2G licences in 2008.

The court, on September 10, had concluded recording of defence evidence in the 2G spectrum allocation case allegedly involving former Telecom Minister A Raja, DMK MP Kanimozhi and 15 others who are facing trial.

The court had fixed November 10 for hearing final arguments in the case in which CBI had alleged that there was a loss of Rs 30,984 crore to the exchequer in allocation of 122 licences for 2G spectrum which were scrapped by the Supreme Court on February 2, 2012.