SC will not stay summons against telecos

In a setback to Essar group and Loop Telecom, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to grant interim stay on the summons issued to their officials and promoters in the 2G spectrum allocation scam case.

A bench of Justices G S Singhvi and S J Mukhopadhaya, however, decided to hear their petition contending that their case should be shifted from the court of Special CBI judge as they were not charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The court issued notice to the CBI and others directing them to file their responses within two weeks.

Senior advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohtagi submitted that interim stay be granted on the summons to officials of both companies for appearance before the court of Special CBI judge, trying the 2G case, till the jurisdiction issue was settled.