CBI court takes cognizance of third set of charges in 2G scam

22 Dec 2011

A special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) yesterday took cognizance of the third set of charges filed in the 2G case, alleging involvement of three more firms and five people, including some promoters of the Essar Group in criminal conspiracy and cheating.

Special judge OP Saini said cognizance was taken on the charge sheet and summons had been issued to the accused for 27 January.

The summons were issued to Anshuman Ruia, Ravikant Ruia and Vikash Saraf of the Essar Group and Ishwari Prasad Khaitan and Kiran Khaitan of Loop.

According to the fresh set of charges, Essar Group used Loop as a front company for the acquisition of telecom licences in 2008. 

Essar, had a 33-per cent stake in Vodafone and held substantial equity in Loop which was a violation of telecom licence norms, according to the charge sheet. 

The licences to Loop were issued during the tenure of former communications minister A Raja, who is lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody, as the prime accused in the case.