Additional spectrum: Jurisdiction issue to be heard on May 11

NEW DELHI: A special court today decided to hear arguments next month on applications filed by two firms, chargesheeted by CBI in additional spectrum allocation case of 2002, questioning its jurisdiction to deal with the matter.

Accused firm M/s Hutchison Max (P) Ltd and M/s Sterling Cellular Ltd had filed separate pleas questioning the special court's jurisdiction to deal with the case.

During the hearing, senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, who appeared for one of the accused firms, submitted a rejoinder to the CBI's reply filed on the pleas questioning jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.

After the rejoinder was filed, special public prosecutor Anand Grover said he would go through it before advancing the arguments.

Both the prosecution and the defence counsels agreed to commence arguments on the issue on the next date, after which Special CBI Judge O P Saini fixed the matter for May 11.

The court said it would also hear the bail plea of former Telecom Secretary Shyamal Ghosh, an accused in the case, and arguments on charges on the next date of hearing.

CBI has chargesheeted Shyamal Ghosh and three telecom firms -- Hutchison Max, Sterling Cellular and Bharti Cellular Ltd -- as accused in the case relating to the Department of Telecommunications allocating additional spectrum which had allegedly resulted in a loss of Rs 846 crore to the exchequer.

The special court was earlier informed that Supreme Court had quashed the order summoning Bharti Cellular Ltd CMD Sunil Bharti Mittal and Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia as accused in the case.