2G: SC to hear Essar Tech's plea on Feb 17

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The Supreme Court will hear Feb 17 Essar Technologies Ltd's plea that its case in the 2G scam be heard by a magistrate and not a special CBI court.

The company said that as it has been charged under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (cheating) and not under the Prevention of Corruption Act its case should be heard by a magistrate.

An apex court bench headed by Justice G.S. Singhvi asked Essar Technologies Ltd to move an application for the hearing of its plea in the 2G matter itself and not as a separate case.

The court direction came after senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for Essar Technologies Ltd, told the court that the company had gone to the Delhi High Court, which had directed it to seek a clarification from the apex court whether it could hear and decide the matter.