New Delhi, Sep 29 (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed pleas of Essar Teleholdings Ltd and its promoters challenging the jurisdiction of the Special Court handling cases of the Central Bureau of Investigation in the 2G spectrum scam.

Essar and its promoters Ravi and Anshuman Ruia had argued that since they have not been accused of any offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the special court handling CBI cases had no jurisdiction to prosecute them.

”We dismiss the appeals and the writ petition,” a bench of Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and justices A.K. Sikri and R. Nariman said.

The apex court had on September 22 reserved its verdict on the petition.

Essar and its promoters had submitted that the magisterial court had the jurisdiction to try them as they have been chargesheeted only for conspiracy and cheating under sections 120B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, respectively.

The CBI had opposed their plea, saying the company and its promoters were trying to scuttle the trial that was in an advanced stage.

The CBI had also opposed their second plea for joint trial with other accused in the main 2G spectrum scam case involving former Telecom Minister A Raja, saying this will amount to further delaying of criminal proceedings for four more years.