A bench of KS Khehar and Arun Mishra JJ rejected Ravikant Ruia’s petition seeking permission to allow Ruia to travel to London and Moscow, among other cities.
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In September 2015, the apex court had given 2G Special Judge the green signal to proceed with the trial against Essar Teleholdings Ltd, promoters Anshuman Ruia and Ravi Ruia in a case of cheating and criminal conspiracy linked to the 2G spectrum scam.
“We do not want to take chances now. You can go to hell”. Singhvi said his client had been allowed to go overseas 43 times earlier and he had always kept his promise to come back to the jurisdiction of the court.
While giving details of Ruia’s businesses in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Saudi Arabia, the senior advocate said his elder brother could stand surety for his return and can even go to jail if he does not return. He was a person as good as you, perhaps richer, and now he refuses to come. He doesn’t want to give any documents and reasons for travelling overseas. It should be available to a person who has a good track record and has genuine business interests, Singhvi submitted. Ruia’s plea was, however, opposed by special public prosecutor Anand Grover.
Grover said that the trial in the 2G case was near completion and one can expect the judgment before February next year. “We have access to your assets in India, not overseas”, the bench said.
The special public prosecutor further said that CBI was unsure whether he will ever come back as extradition these days is a “very hard task”.
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The Bench also noted that all assets shown by Ruia were of businesses overseas with no information on domestic assets. The five accused, who are out on bail, have denied the charges levelled by the CBI.
