08 dec 2011
New Delhi: The CBI will soon file its chargesheet against the Essar group promoters in the 2G scam despite law minister Salman Khurshid's disagreement with attorney general Goolam Vahanvati, who approved the filing of the chargesheet.
Khurshid has been claiming that Vahanvati did not consult his ministry before taking the decision. The law ministry had given a clean chit to Essar on an application filed by it and said it did not commit any illegality.
A CBI official said Vahanvati's opinion was final as far as legality of the matter was concerned as he is the top government lawyer and the minister could not overrule him.
"If the law ministry takes up the matter with our ministry, then the matter could be delayed further. But we are almost prepared to file our chargesheet and there are no remaining legal hurdles," an official said.
Sources said the chargesheet may not name any government officials as accused as the CBI believes that it was a boardroom conspiracy allegedly hatched by Essar to float Loop Telecom as a front company to bag 2G licences. Essar was itself not qualified for licences due to its holding of 33 per cent stake in Vodaphone-Essar.
A CBI official said the chargesheet was prepared and at an advanced stage and the delay was because of their careful calibration of its every aspect. He said it could be filed in a court in a couple of weeks.
The chargesheet could be filed against the accused for cheating and criminal conspiracy. The matter had reached the AG after the CBI's prosecution wing shot down the investigating officials' case against Essar and said it at best amounted to a civil offence.
Essar group has been insisting that they have been in agreement with telecom guidelines. It had taken opinions of several retired judges and leading lawyers in its favour.
CBI set to file chargesheet against Essar group
Sources said the chargesheet may not name any government officials as accused as the CBI believes that it was a boardroom conspiracy allegedly hatched by Essar to float Loop Telecom as a front company to bag 2G licences
New Delhi: The CBI will soon file its chargesheet against the Essar group promoters in the 2G scam despite law minister Salman Khurshid's disagreement with attorney general Goolam Vahanvati, who approved the filing of the chargesheet.
Khurshid has been claiming that Vahanvati did not consult his ministry before taking the decision. The law ministry had given a clean chit to Essar on an application filed by it and said it did not commit any illegality.
A CBI official said Vahanvati's opinion was final as far as legality of the matter was concerned as he is the top government lawyer and the minister could not overrule him.
"If the law ministry takes up the matter with our ministry, then the matter could be delayed further. But we are almost prepared to file our chargesheet and there are no remaining legal hurdles," an official said.
Sources said the chargesheet may not name any government officials as accused as the CBI believes that it was a boardroom conspiracy allegedly hatched by Essar to float Loop Telecom as a front company to bag 2G licences. Essar was itself not qualified for licences due to its holding of 33 per cent stake in Vodaphone-Essar.
A CBI official said the chargesheet was prepared and at an advanced stage and the delay was because of their careful calibration of its every aspect. He said it could be filed in a court in a couple of weeks.
The chargesheet could be filed against the accused for cheating and criminal conspiracy. The matter had reached the AG after the CBI's prosecution wing shot down the investigating officials' case against Essar and said it at best amounted to a civil offence.
Essar group has been insisting that they have been in agreement with telecom guidelines. It had taken opinions of several retired judges and leading lawyers in its favour.
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