The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the plea of Sahara chief Subrata Roy to to shift his jail to a guest house, but allowed his plea to sell properties to mobilise Rs 5,000 crore in cash and an equal amount in bank guarantee for securing his release.
The Bench modified earlier restraint orders over bank deposits and sale of immovable assets, saying, “This did not pose any difficulty, as the same is in aid of compliance with the directions of this court.” The SC in its 27-page verdict said it has reservations in relaxing bail conditions as the contemners, including the 65-year-old Sahara chief who is in jail since March 4, had adopted “dilatory tactics” to avoid compliance of the earlier orders.
“The prayer for modification of the terms stipulated in our order dated March 26, 2014 granting interim bail to the contemnors is declined and the Interim Applications to that extent is dismissed.
“Prayer for shifting the contemners to a guest house for continued custody and detention till they comply with the directions of this court for their release on interim bail is also declined...,” a Bench of Justices TS Thakur and AK Sikri said.