Essar-Loop case: Special court dismisses Ravi Ruia's plea

A special court on Monday dismissed a plea filed by Essar Group promoter Ravi Kant Ruia, facing trial along with others in a case arising out of the 2G scam probe, seeking modification of condition imposed on him while granting bail. The court rejected Ruia's application in which he had sought modification of the bail condition regarding surrender of his passport. "The accused (Ruia) has been permitted to travel abroad almost every time he asked for it. The case is in its last leg of the trial and only final arguments for the defence remain to be addressed," Special CBI Judge O P Saini said. "In view of the fact that accused has been permitted to travel abroad almost every time he sought permission and the case is at the last stage of the trial, I do not find any merit in the application and the same is dismissed," the judge said. Senior advocate S V Raju, who appeared for Ruia, argued that the bail condition may be modified to the extent that his client may not be required to surrender his passport every time and instead he may be permitted to retain it and travel abroad, subject to conditions imposed by the court.

He said the condition imposed on Ruia in the bail order regarding surrender of passport was causing difficulty for his client as he has to frequently travel abroad in connection with his business. Special public prosecutor Anand Grover opposed Ruia's plea saying trial of the case was at the fag end and CBI's final arguments were almost complete. Grover argued that the condition imposed on the accused was neither oppressive nor difficult.

Essar Group promoters Ravi Kant Ruia and Anshuman Ruia, Loop Telecom promoters, Kiran Khaitan, her husband I P Khaitan and Essar Group Director (Strategy and Planning) Vikash Saraf are facing trial in the case, along with three telecom firms -- Loop Telecom Ltd, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding Ltd. The five individuals accused, who are out on bail, have denied the charges levelled by CBI. CBI had chargesheeted the accused on December 12, 2011, alleging they had cheated the Department of Telecommunication by using Loop Telecom as a "front" to secure 2G licences in 2008.