Sahara to deposit Rs. 200 crores with SEBI to extend parole of Subrata Roy :Supreme Court

By | October 1, 2016
(Last Updated On: October 1, 2016)

SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

S.E.B.I.

v.

Sahara India Real Estate Corpn. Ltd.

ANIL R. DAVE AND A.K. SIKRI, JJ.

I.A NOS. 221-223 OF 2016
CONMT. PET. (C.) NOS. 412 & 413 OF 2012
C.A. NOS. 9813 & 9833 OF 2011
C.P.(C) NO. 8643 OF 2012

SEPTEMBER  28, 2016

Shekhar Napahade, Sr. Adv. (A.C.), Arvind P. Datar, Sr. Adv., Pratap Venugopal, Surkha Raman, Anuj Sarma,Niharika and K.J. John, Advs. for the Petitioner. Kapil Sibal, Narendra Hooda, Rana Mukherjee, Sr. Advs., Tushar Mehta, ASG, Gautam Awasthi, Aarohi Bhalla, Ayush Choudhary, Nijam Pasha, Rahul Tripathi, Nikhil Jain,Simranjeet Singh, Salim Inamdar, Gautam Talukdar, Ram Sajan Yadav, Vijay Kumar, Sarthak Nayak, Pravin Bahadur, Amit Agarwal, Rajan Narain, Ms. Sadhna Sandhu, M.K. Maroria, D.L. Chidananda, Rajat Nair, M.K. Maroria, B.K. Prasad, Ms. Anil Katiyar, G. Umapathy and Rakesh K. Sharma, Advs. for the Respondent.

ORDER

 

1. We have heard Mr. Kapil Sibal, learned senior counsel appearing for the respondents-contemnors, M/s Shekhar Naphade, learned Amicus Curiae and Arvind Datar, learned senior counsel appearing for SEBI. Mr. Arvind Datar submits that out of eight properties offered for sale, six were already attached by the Income-tax Department. The result was that only two properties could be sold by SEBI for a total amount of Rs. 61.44/- crores which amount has been credited to the SEBI Sahara Refund Account. Regarding the remaining six properties, although certain amounts were received by SEBI from the prospective purchasers, SEBI is going to refund the amount back to the prospective purchasers. He submits that 13 other items of property which are un-encumbered have been advertised for sale on E- auction and the progress made on that front shall be reported to this Court by the next date of hearing.

2. Mr. Sibal seeks some time to verify whether Saharas were aware of the attachment orders passed qua 47 properties out of a list of 60 furnished by them for sale through SEBI and, if so, the reason why the fact of such properties being already attached may not disclosed to this Court. He further submits that instead of depositing the balance amount in small instalments, Saharas propose to liquidate the liability in lump in which connection they are prepared to file a road-map/scheme within a period of one month. He submits that Saharas will support the scheme so filed by an undertaking that the balance amount recoverable from them shall be deposited in terms of the said scheme without fail. He prays for time till 24th October, 2016 to furnish the scheme/road-map proposed by him and submits that the interim arrangement already made could be continued till that date in modification of our Order dated 23.09.2016.

3. There is some confusion about the total amount payable by Saharas and the amount actually deposited by them so far. The figures being cited at the Bar need reconciliation. We direct that Saharas shall reconcile the figures with SEBI and file a joint statement as to the amount already deposited. SEBI may also after giving credit of the amount so deposited indicate the balance amount towards principal and interest due on the same before the next date of hearing.

4. We have in the past while extending the interim arrangement directed deposit of a certain amount towards the liquidation of the outstanding liability. Saharas have complied with the said direction regarding deposit. In the circumstances and keeping in view the fact that even SEBI and Amicus agree to a road map being examined by this Court for liquidation of the balance liability, we extend the interim arrangement already made till 24th October, 2016 on the condition that the Saharas/contemnors shall deposit with SEBI a further sum of Rs. 200/- crores (Rupees Two hundred Crores only) during the intervening period. We make it clear that in case the deposit is not made, the Saharas shall stand committed to jail on 24th October, 2016, the date fixed for the next hearing.

5. I.As. No. 221-223 of 2016 are disposed of accordingly.

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