Essar-Loop case: CBI to reply on Ravi Ruia's plea to go abroad

The CBI will file tomorrow its reply on a plea by Essar Group promoter Ravi Ruia, facing trial along with others in a case arising out of the 2G scam probe, seeking permission to go abroad for business purpose.
CBI's submission came after senior advocate Harish Salve, who appeared for Ravi Ruia, told the court that his client was required to attend an important meeting in Russia on April 13 and he be permitted to go abroad for a period of three-four days at that time.
Salve told special CBI judge O P Saini that if Ruia is permitted to travel abroad, the ongoing trial proceedings will not be hampered at all and during that period, even the case was not listed for hearing.

Special public prosecutor Anand Grover, however, told the court that the agency would file a reply on the plea after going through it.
"We will file a reply. I will go through the plea. This is a sensitive matter," Grover told the court after which the judge listed the plea for arguments tomorrow.
On March 12, the court had dismissed an application filed by Ruia seeking permission to go abroad for business purposes observing that the plea was filed in a "casual" manner.

During the proceedings today, the court also heard final arguments in the case in which Essar Group promoters Ravi 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 along with three firms -- Loop Telecom Ltd, Loop Mobile India Ltd and Essar Tele Holding Ltd (ETHL).

During the arguments, Grover gave details about the money transactions in the case. The final arguments would continue on April 20.
The five individual accused, who are out on bail, have denied all the charges levelled by CBI.