Essar-Loop case: Court allows Ravi Ruia to travel abroad

NEW DELHI: Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia, facing trial in a case arising out of the probe into the 2G spectrum scam, has been allowed by a special court to travel abroad after the CBI did not object to his plea.

Ruia had sought court's permission to travel to Phuket in Thailand from November 19 to 23 to attend a marriage ceremony in his family.

The court allowed his plea observing that Ruia has earlier been permitted to travel abroad on numerous occasions and has complied with all the conditions imposed upon him.

"In view of the fact that applicant/accused (Ruia) has been permitted to travel abroad on numerous occasions during the past three years and he complied with all the conditions that were imposed upon him by this court, I am inclined to allow the prayer of the accused visiting Phuket with effect from November 19 to 23," Special CBI Judge O P Saini said.

During the hearing on the plea, the CBI said it was not opposing his plea.

Essar Group promoters Ravi 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 (LTL), Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding Ltd (ETHL).

The five individual accused, who are out on bail, have denied all charges levelled by CBI.

On May 25, 2012, the court had framed charges against all the accused under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with section 420 (cheating) of the IPC, while the substantial charge of cheating was made out against Saraf only.

The court is presently hearing final arguments in the case.