Lok Adalat is an alternative dispute resolution mechanism by which the parties involved in civil and compoundable criminal cases try to arrive at a compromise to settle their case.
If the concerned parties do not arrive at a compromise, the matter is remanded back to the court for disposal.
As per the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), offence under section 420(cheating) of the IPC is compoundable if both the complainant and the accused arrive at a mutual consent.
Essar Group promoters Ravi Ruia and Anshuman Ruia, Loop Telecom promoters Kiran Khaitan, her husband I P Khaitan and Essar Group Director (Strategy and Planning) Vikash Saraf are facing trial in the case along with three firms—LTL, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding Ltd.
All of them have denied the charges levelled by CBI. CBI had filed the charge sheet against them alleging they had cheated DoT by using Loop Telecom as a “front” to secure 2G licences in 2008.
