2G scam: Court warns Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia for frequently filing pleas to go abroad

NEW DELHI: A special court today warned Essar Group promoter Ravi Kant Ruia, facing trial along with others in a 2G scam case, for frequently filing applications seeking its nod to go abroad but allowed his plea to visit four countries.

The court's observation came as it allowed Ruia's plea to travel to Russia, UK, France and Dubai from today till September 26 for personal and business commitments.

"I am inclined to allow the application and the same is allowed. Applicant/accused Ravi Kant Ruia is permitted to visit Vladivostok (Russia), London (UK), Nice (France) and Dubai (UAE) from September 3 to September 26....and subject to caution that he should desist from filing such applications quite frequently," Special CBI Judge O P Saini.

The court said the case in which Ruia was facing trial was not listed for hearing during "most of the period" for which he was seeking nod to go abroad and thus his presence was not required.

Senior counsel S V Raju, who appeared for Ruia, argued in the court that his client is a non-resident Indian (NRI) and to continue that status, he cannot reside in India for more than 181 days in a financial year.

He said that Ruia was permitted to go abroad on several occasions earlier and he had complied with all conditions imposed on him every time.

CBI opposed his plea contending that documents submitted by Ruia along with the application relating to his visit abroad were not complete.

It also argued that Ruia was frequently filing such pleas and the documents annexed to the application were incomplete and did not completely disclosed his programme in these countries.

In its order, the court observed that "there may be some defects in the papers, but they are not either outlandish or undeserving of any faith whatsoever."