HC issues contempt notice to Adv Ashok Sarogi

Mumbai, Feb 1 (UNI) The Bombay High Court today issued a notice of contempt against a senior lawyer of the court Ashok Sarogi, for writing to Silvasa police not to take any action against accused persons in a case of cheating to tune of Rs 76 lakhs, without obtaining any relief from the court.

Persuant to Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's orders, Khanvel police station in Silvasa has registered a criminal case against Umaji Fashions Pvt Ltd, its directors -- Rajendra Shah, his sons (Raunak and Rushik) -- and some other persons for allegedly cheating the company to the tune of Rs 76 lakhs.

The case was brought to light by Raj Rayons from Silvasa, the textile manufacturer, which was also involved in evasion of sales tax in Maharashtra. It was involved in fraudulently selling yarn purchased for its comsumption in the state by sending it directly to Surat.

Umaji Fashions and its directors had moved the Bombay High Court against the criminal proceedings. When their petition came up for hearing today, counsel for complainants -- Raj Rayons, Indira Bansal and Iva Bansal -- pointed to a letter written by Advocate Ashok Sarogi, counsel of the accused, and told the court that he had brought the investigations to fullstop without any court order. They contended that the letter amounted to interference in judicial process and demanded contempt of court proceedings be initiated against Advocate Sarogi.

Accordingly, a division bench of Justices Bilal Nazki and Sharad Bobade issued the contempt notice against Advocate Sarogi, and gave him four weeks to reply to it.

The matter will come up for further hearing after four weeks.

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