2G: CBI chargesheet against Essar, Loop accepted

A special CBI court on Wednesday accepted CBI's chargesheet against Essar Group and Loop Telecom in the 2G spectrum scam case and issued summons to all eight accused named in the chargesheet. Notices have been sent to the eight accused - Anshuman Ruia, Ravi Ruia, Vikas Saraf, IP Khaitan, Kiran Khaitan, Loop Mobile, Loop Telecom and Essar Tele Holdings.

Special judge OP Saini has also issued summons to the accused and asked them to appear before the court on January 27, 2012. The special court was set up under the order of the Supreme Court to exclusively deal with matters pertaining to the 2G case but the CBI in the charge sheet has said that the offences alleged to have been committed are triable by a magistrate and it is for the special court to decide whether it has to be referred to magisterial court or not. The CBI has accused the Essar and Loop promoters of conspiring to cheat the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) but has not found evidence to prosecute theme under the PCA. It said "investigation has not revealed evidence to prove mala-fide on the part of public servants in the matter." In the charge sheet filed on December 12, Essar group promoters Anshuman and Ravi Ruia, Loop Telecom promoters Kiran Khaitan, her husband IP Khaitan and Essar Group director (Strategy and Planning) Vikas Saraf were made accused. The companies named as accused are Loop Telecom Pvt Ltd, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding. Essar Group, in a statement, said it is surprised that the special court has taken cognizance of the matter even though there is no charge of corruption made by CBI. It further adds that it will take legal recourse to defend its position. However, chairman Ravi Ruia will temporarily step aside from his post till the 2G charges are cleared. Prashant Ruia has been appointed as the interim chairman of Essar Energy.