New Delhi, Feb 20 (IANS): A court here Thursday posted for March 14 the hearing on a plea filed by Loop Telecom seeking directions for referring the matter to the Lok Adalat.

The court Dec 16 last year issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) seeking their response on the plea.

The DoT did not file the reply and sought time from the court.

CBI Special Judge O.P. Saini granted time to the DoT and posted the matter for March 14.

Meanwhile, the court posted the matter for April 4 for recording statements of the accused in a 2G spectrum case against Essar and Loop Telecom promoters, who face charges of criminal conspiracy for cheating the DoT.

A third set of charges filed by the CBI in the 2G case alleged that promoters of the Essar Group were the real investors and beneficiaries of the spectrum and licenses issued to Loop Telecom, which was used as a front company by Essar to acquire 2G licenses and spectrum in 2008.

This has been denied by the accused.