Don’t arrest Ruia till further order is given: HC to CID

Jessop owner Pawan Ruia didn’t turn up in the office of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) despite the Calcutta High Court directed him to cooperate the investigating agency to probe into the incident of fire in his factory.

The Court in its Wednesday’s interim also directed CID not to arrest Ruia till the further order is given in this connection.

Ruia had moved to the Court after receiving a letter from CID summoning him to Bhawani Bhawan for interrogation. He had moved the Court challenging the FIR containing his name that was lodged with Dum Dum police station. Moreover, he had taken the steps to avoid facing the investigating officers in this connection.

After hearing the plea of Ruia’s counsel, the Court gave its order stating that neither policemen from Dum Dum police station nor the CID can arrest him. The Court has also mentioned in its order that legal steps could be taken against Ruia if he didn’t cooperate with the investigating agency and its officers. The next date of hearing in this case is in December. Thus Ruia on Wednesday heaved a sigh of relief at least for a month. 

Meanwhile, CID on Wednesday served the second notice summoning him to turn up to Bhawani Bhawan. In the first letter that was sent to him a few days ago, he was asked to be present in the office of the investigating agency by October 26. 

“Since he didn’t turn up at Bhawani Bhawan today (Wednesday), which clearly shows that he was not cooperating with us, the second notice has been served,” said a senior police officer adding that they would send the third notice if he didn’t turn up despite sending the second one. Legal steps would be taken against him if he didn’t turn up despite getting all the three letters.

Meanwhile, Jessop CEO Ashok Agarwal was remanded in the police custody for seven days after being produced before the Barrackpore Court on Wednesday afternoon. He was arrested on Tuesday for his alleged involvement in misappropriation of fund of the company.

An inspection of the area has been conducted by DIG CID BL Meena. A team comprising experts from the state forensic science laboratory also visited the spot and collected samples.

Sources said that the investigating officers have also started collecting the financial details of the company since it was taken over by Ruia. The officers have also got some documents of which they want to get verified. It is learnt that CID want to interrogate Ruia to get explanation on the financial details of the company. 

It may be mentioned that CEO Ashok Agarwal was arrested on Wednesday after he had failed to give explanation on the certain transactions. It was also learnt that he was also involved in misappropriation of funds related to the factory’s provident funds.