Though the apex court did not name the person who abused the liberty, an advocate today circulated copies of an order of August 28 in which a bench headed by Justice J S Khehar was annoyed that a rich woman, accused in a criminal case, did not abide by her undertaking to return from the United Kingdom.
The advocate, on condition of anonymity, said he was appearing for one of the respondents in that case.
While hearing Ruia's case, Justice Khehar along with Justice Arun Mishra were perhaps referring to the Awasty case.
"We have allowed a person to go abroad but he never came back. He was no less big than you in monetary terms. We don't want to take chances now. We are now once bitten twice shy. We are not going to give liberty to anyone," the bench had yesterday told Ruia's counsel.
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The apex court had in January this year allowed the woman to travel to UK and the relief was again extended in April till May 31 on the ground that she was looking after her husband who was in urgent need of medical care.
Ritika, however, has not returned to India in compliance of her undertaking, the bench in its August order.
"In the peculiar circumstances noticed herein above, we are satisfied that the petitioner (Ritika) is in breach of the directions of this Court, as also of the undertaking given by her to this Court. We are accordingly satisfied in recalling the order dated December 11, 2015 whereby the arrest of the petitioner was ordered to be stayed.
that the petitioner has committed contempt of this Court by breaching the directions issued by the Court, as also violating the undertaking given to this Court. We are, therefore, issue notice to the petitioner to show cause why contempt proceeding be not initiated against her."
The court noted that while seeking the relief, the woman had given an impression that her liability was to the extent of Rs 86 lakh but it has now emerged that the amount payable by her may be manifolds more than this amount.
It said just one of the claimants has quantified the figure as Rs 1.46 crore and the FIR against her also suggests a sum of Rs 1.76 crore.