ICICI-Videocon loan case: Relief for Dhoot as court says personal presence not needed for furnishing surety

A SPECIAL court in Mumbai on Wednesday permitted Videocon Group Chairman Venugopal Dhoot to complete part of his bail conditions without his personal presence, noting the ‘peculiar and extraordinary’ situation of his health. Dhoot was arrested in December by the CBI in connection with the ICICI-Videocon loan case. He was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on January 20, with conditions that included furnishing sureties.

Dhoot had recently moved a plea before the special court seeking that the sureties be accepted without him required to be physically present. His plea said that immediately after his release from Arthur Road jail, he was taken to Aurangabad in an air ambulance, and he is still admitted to a hospital there due to a heart ailment and other health issues. His lawyers also submitted a medical report where it was mentioned that he is not fit to travel and is under medical supervision. “There is no reason to disbelieve the submission and medical certificate. Thus, a peculiar and extraordinary situation arises here,” the court said, adding that the prayer deserved to be allowed permitting Dhoot to submit the surety bond before a notary at the hospital.

The court also issued a show-cause notice to the jail superintendent as the cash bond part of Dhoot’s release from jail did not have his signature.