Ryan Group's chairman, MD get interim protection from arrest

The group's founding chairman had on Monday approached the high court seeking anticipatory bail apprehending arrest in the case

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday granted interim protection from arrest to Ryan International Group’s founding chairman and managing director till Wednesday in connection with the murder of a boy on the school’s premises in Gurugram.

The group’s founding chairman Augustine Pinto (73), his wife Grace Pinto (62), managing director, had on Monday approached the high court seeking anticipatory bail apprehending arrest in the case.

Their counsel, Niteen Pradhan, had on Tuesday said along with Augustine and Grace, their son Ryan Pinto, the group’s CEO, also filed an anticipatory bail plea. However, Pradhan on Tuesday said due to some problem, Ryan’s application was not filed with the high court registry.

“Ryan’s application for anticipatory bail is in process and will be filed soon,” he said.

Justice Ajey Gadkari said, “The applicants (Augustine Pinto and Grace) shall not be arrested till tomorrow (Wednesday). The matter is adjourned till tomorrow on the request of the additional public prosecutor appearing for the Maharashtra government.”

Additional Public Prosecutor Aruna Kamat Pai told the HC that the court would have to also issue notice and hear the Haryana government as the offence in connection with the boy’s murder registered there.

To this, Justice Gadkari said, "For transit anticipatory bail, why should this court hear the Haryana government? Let the applicants approach the court concerned there."

The court, however, posted the matter for Wednesday after Pai said she requires some time.

Meanwhile, a lawyer, Gunratan Sadavarte, who was in the court when the matter was being heard, told the HC that he wanted to file an intervening application on behalf of some parents' associations opposing the bail pleas of the Pintos.

Justice Gadkari, however, refused to hear him and said he could approach the court concerned in Haryana with his grievance.

Two top officials of the Ryan International School were earlier arrested while the acting principal was detained for questioning.