Moneycontrol Bureau
Acting on Supreme Court's orders, the UP police arrested Sahara group boss Subrata Roy on Friday. His lawyer wanted the matter to be heard on Friday itself but the apex court declined the application saying it was not possible to convene a special bench today. The court also rejected Roy's plea to recall the warrant as a result of which he will remain in judicial custody till March 3. His case will be taken up on March 4.
Speaking on his behalf, Roy's son Seemanto Roy said his father's decision to not appear before the court has been emotional but he "willfully surrendered today as he is law abiding citizen."
The SC had ordered a non-bailable warrant against Roy on Wednesday for ignoring repeated summons to be present in court to explain the case involving refund of Rs 20,000 crore to Sahara investors. On Thursday, the UP police turned up at Roy's residence only to find him missing. But the chase was up on Friday morning when the business magnate was arrested and taken into custody.
On Thursday, Roy had apologised unconditionally to the Supreme Court and sought recall of warrants issued against him.
Earlier on Friday Roy issued a statement where he said that he was not absconding arrest and was indeed in Lucknow. He also requested the Supreme Court to put him under house arrest with his ailing mother in Lucknow.
In the media statement issued on Friday morning, Roy said, "I am not absconding. I am in Lucknow. With folded hands and all humility I ask the honourable judges to leave me under house arrest with my ailing mother."
The Sahara supremo had written to the Supreme Court saying that he should not be arrested till March 3 and allowed to stay with his mother. He said that he was ready to "unconditionally" obey Supreme Court direction and was ready to come to Delhi if asked by the SC.
Accusing the media of character assassination, Roy said that he would never 'forget' the people (in media) if anything happened to his mother in his absence. "I have informed police to do their duty as per direction of Supreme Court: Sahara chief says in a statement. People advised me to get admitted in hospital to avoid courts on medical grounds. I hate to do such drama, " he added.
Roy on Thursday moved the Supreme Court asking for the recall of the non-bailable warrant. He also tendered an unconditional apology to the court admitting that not turning up at court was an error in judgement. The Supreme Court will hear Subrata's plea later in the day today.
Subrata Roy said that arresting him will hurt his reputation.
Besides seeking recall of Wednesday's order and the NBW, Roy's application sought a stay of the operation of the order during the pendency of this application. He appealed to the "humane side" of the court to consider sympathetically the wishes of his mother and permit him to be with her in her last moments. Roy also said that he believed that the court will in all its magnanimity pardon the "error of judgement" on his part and condone his non-appearance since it was "neither intentional nor deliberate".
He submitted that the non-recall of the NBW order shall cause "grave prejudice" to him and he shall suffer "irreparable loss and injury because without your lordships' merciful favour applicant cannot be with his mother in peace". Roy submitted that he was emotionally and mentally very attached to his mother who has been guiding light in his life since he lost his father 37 years ago.
With inputs from ibnlive
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