A Delhi court has sent back the Central Bureau of Investigation’s chargesheet in the long-pending Antrix–Devas corruption case, ruling that it does not have the authority to hear the matter. The move comes nearly ten years after the chargesheet was first filed, bringing an unexpected turn in the proceedings.
The court allowed the agency to present the case before a competent court in Bengaluru, noting that the key events linked to the alleged offences took place there. The issue of jurisdiction was raised by one of the accused, who argued that the case should not be tried in Delhi since the primary actions connected to the deal occurred in Karnataka.
After examining the arguments, the court agreed that the core of the case is tied to Bengaluru. It pointed out that the institutions central to the matter—such as Antrix Corporation and entities linked to India’s space operations—are based there, and the alleged misconduct is closely connected to that location.
The CBI had argued that certain aspects of the case, including meetings and administrative decisions, took place in Delhi, which justified filing the chargesheet in the capital. However, the court found these links to be secondary and insufficient to establish jurisdiction.
The case itself revolves around a controversial agreement between Antrix Corporation and Devas Multimedia involving the allocation of satellite spectrum, which has been under scrutiny for years over alleged irregularities.
With the chargesheet now returned, the investigating agency will need to refile the case in the appropriate court in Bengaluru. The decision underscores how jurisdictional challenges can significantly delay legal proceedings, even in high-profile cases involving alleged corruption.