The Supreme Court on Friday asked Sahara Group head Subrata Roy to present proof of his conglomerate having refunded Rs 18,000 crore to investors, NDTV reported. A bench of the top court said it was difficult for them to accept that Sahara had refunded the entire amount in cash to investors in two months. “We will close this entire Pandora’s box if you show us the source of refund,” the bench said.
The court also asked the Securities and Exchange Board of India to look into how the group of companies is selling its properties abroad to raise money to secure bail for Roy, who is currently out on parole. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for September 16. The decision came a week after the Sahara chief said he was ready to pay an additional Rs 300 crore to SEBI as a bank guarantee. This came after a bench of the apex court on August 3 agreed to extend the beleaguered businessman’s parole till September 16 on the condition that he deposit the amount with the financial regulator.
Roy was sent to Tihar Jail in March 2014 after failing to obey a court order that had directed him to refund money raised from investors through the sale of illegal bonds. The court has allowed Sahara to raise money for Roy’s bail through various means, including through bank guarantees and the sale of its properties abroad, which include the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, among others. Roy has told the top court that his company will be in a position to fulfil all the conditions necessary for him to be granted bail by December. He was granted parole in May on humanitarian grounds.
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