New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): The Essar Group Wednesday expressed surprise that the special court hearing the second generation (2G) spectrum allocation case has taken cognizance of charges framed against a group firm and some promoters though there were no allegations of corruption.

"Essar is advised that the special court has no jurisdiction in matters where no corruption charges have been alleged. Essar will take further legal recourse to defend its position," the group said in a statement.

"Essar denies all charges, will take legal recourse."

A special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Wednesday took cognisance of the third set of charges filed in the case alleging criminal conspiracy and cheating by three more firms and five people, including some promoters of the Essar Group.

"Cognizance is taken on the charge sheet and summons has been issued to the accused for Jan 27," Special Judge O.P. Saini said.

The summons were issued to Essar Group's Anshuman Ruia, Ravikant Ruia and Vikash Saraf and promoters of Loop Ishwari Prasad Khaitan and Kiran Khaitan.

The fresh set of charges alleged that Essar Group used Loop as a front company to acquire telecom licences in 2008.

Essar, which already had a 33-percent stake in Vodafone, held substantial equity in Loop and thus violated telecom licence norms, the charge sheet said.

The licences to Loop were given during the tenure of former communications minister A. Raja, who is in Tihar Jail under judicial custody, as the prime accused in the case.

The firm secured licences for 21 circles for around Rs.1,450 crore.