New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) A court here on Wednesday issued a warning to Essar promoter Ravi Kant Ruia for filing applications in a casual and cavalier manner, saying the prosecution is at liberty to take steps to seek cancellation of his bail.
The Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O. P. Saini’s remarks came while allowing Ravi Ruia to travel to Russia between April 11 and 15 to attend a business meeting.
However, the judge observed that the accused is repeatedly filing such applications in a casual and cavalier manner, drafted in a language which is vague and uncertain.
“Such deliberate laxity and levity is not conducive to the interest of anyone. In a sense, this amounts to creation of conditions which are not conducive to the holding of a fair trial as precious court time is wasted and attention of the court gets distracted from the main trial, which by all means is complex and highly technical,” the court said.
“If the accused (Ruia) persists with such behaviour in future, prosecution is at liberty to take steps seeking cancellation of his bail,” the judge said.
The judge also said that a lot of court time is wasted in hearing arguments on unnecessary matters and making out the correct meaning of the prayer made in the applications.
Observing that Ruia has an urgent meeting in Russia, which is in his business interest, the court took a lenient view and allowed the prayer.
The court was hearing two applications filed by Ruia on April 6 and 7 seeking permission to travel abroad.
In an application dated April 6, Ruia said that he will travel to different countries from April 8 to April 20 for his business activities. In an April 7 plea, he sought to travel to Russia from April 11 to 15 stating that he has a meeting scheduled with VTB Bank in Russia on April 13, which is critical for his business interests.
The CBI has opposed Ruia’s plea and said that the accused has stated in the application dated April 6 that he would be travelling to Dubai and Britain and to other countries also, as per exigencies. But how can he travel to other countries without seeking permission of this court?.
The CBI further said it was not clear for which company the accused would be having a meeting with the VTB Bank in Russia.
The investigating agency added that if permission was granted, the accused may misuse it, being a resourceful person.
The court is now hearing final arguments in the case.
The CBI has 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.