HC sends two directors of Koutons to judicial custody

The Delhi High Court today sent two directors of retail apparel giants, Koutons, to judicial custody in Tihar Jail after their arrest for not appearing in a contempt case filed against the company's three directors.
The two of the three directors were arrested after they failed to appear before a court which is hearing the contempt case against them for non-payment of around Rs 2.38 crore to R C Velvet, a fabrics manufacturer.
The retail apparel giant had in August, 2011, undertaken in court, in a winding up petition filed against it, to pay Rs 2.38 crore to R C Velvet and on failing to do so a contempt case was filed against Kouton's directors - Devinder Pal Singh Kohli, Bhupinder Singh Sawhney and Gurmeet Singh Sawhney.

According to R C Velvet, the amount was due for materials it had supplied to Koutons.
The Haryana police recently arrested Bhupinder and Gurmeet and produced them in the court today in pursuance to the non-bailable warrants issued against them for failing to appear before the court.
Inspector General of Police (Gurgaon), Alok Mittal, was also present in the court as the third director has not yet been apprehended and assured Justice Vibhu Bakhru that all efforts are being to made to arrest Devinder Pal.

Advocate Jasmeet Singh, appearing for the directors, sought their release on bail by recording their personal undertaking that they would pay the amount.

He also submitted that three instalments of the amount has already been paid.
The court, however, rejected the plea saying that going by their past conduct let them be in custody.
"Police is directed to produce the two on November 12," the court said.
R C Velvet, in its contempt plea, has said that the directors of the company, after paying the first three instalments of the due amount, failed to make further payments.
The court had earlier directed the directors to continue to make payment of the instalments punctually as per their undertaking, failing which they were to be present in person before the court.