New Delhi: Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia, facing trial in a case arising out of the probe into the 2G spectrum scam, was Monday allowed to travel abroad by a special court, which also cautioned him to "desist" from filing frequent applications in this regard.
Special CBI Judge O P Saini allowed Ruia's plea seeking permission to travel to Russia and United Kingdom (UK) from today till May 31 for business purposes observing that the case was not listed for hearing during that period.
"In view of the fact that the applicant/accused (Ruia) has been permitted to travel abroad on numerous occasions during the past three years and the case is also not listed during the period in question, I am inclined to allow the application subject to the caution that the accused should desist from filing frequent applications in this regard," the judge said.
During the arguments on the application, senior advocate Hariharan, appearing for Ruia, told the court that his client was one of the co?founders of Essar Group of companies and these firms have business interests in various countries.
He said that Ruia was required to travel to Russia and UK in connection with business of these companies and he was permitted to travel abroad earlier too on numerous occasions and had complied with all the conditions imposed upon him.
The CBI opposed the plea contending that there was no valid reason for Ruia to travel abroad and the accused is a resourceful person and may misuse his liberty, if permitted.
It also submitted that by filing frequent applications, the accused was wasting court's time by distracting its attention and resources.
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 all denied the charges levelled by CBI.
The court is currently hearing final arguments in the case in which CBI had filed a charge sheet on December 12, 2011, alleging that the accused had cheated the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) by using Loop Telecom as a "front" to secure 2G licences in 2008.
The CBI had earlier told the court that accused firm LTL was "used" by Essar Group of companies to acquire 2G licences by "circumventing" the procedures.
The court on September 15, 2014 had concluded recording of defence evidence in a case.
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.
During the recording of prosecution evidence in the case which started on July 26, 2012, the court had recorded the statements of 95 CBI witnesses, running into 1,056 pages, while the accused examined 12 witnesses in their defence.
