Mumbai, Aug 13: Citing several grounds, city police have filed an affidavit in Supreme Court opposing the plea of film financier Bharat Shah to visit Belgium for 15 days this month-end to attend marriage of his nephew and niece. Police contended Shah may not return if he was allowed to go to Belgium because he had received threats from gangster Abu Salem recently. Besides, he had taken Rs 180 crore loan from Bank of India without furnishing any collateral security. Another ground cited by police to oppose his plea was that his trial in a special court would be hampered as already nine witnesses had been examined, special public prosecutor Rohini Salian said.
Shah had moved the Supreme Court challenging the June 26 order of Mumbai High Court which refused to discharge him in a case of alleged nexus with the underworld. He urged the Apex Court to modify its earlier bail order by allowing him to visit Belgium.
The matter was expected to be heard on August 12 but it was not listed on board. It will now come up for hearing in due course.
In a related development, the Apex Court has decided to hear in open court a petition filed by Mumbai Police seeking review of its earlier order granting bail to Shah.
Generally such matters are heard in chambers but last week Justices M B Shah and B P Singh decided to hear the review petition in the open court, Salian said.
Bureau Report