Esselgroup keen to take over AgriGold

Esselgroup keen to take over AgriGold
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Highlights

Dr Subhash Chandra Foundation, a not-for-profit group company of Esselgroup, that includes Zee TV, has informed the High Court at Hyderabad that it is interested in take over AgriGold group as a going business. The Delloitte firm filed an additional affidavit on Monday to this effect, revealing that the name of the interested party that was kept secret in the primary affidavit and to which the Cou

Hyderabad: Dr Subhash Chandra Foundation, a not-for-profit group company of Esselgroup, that includes Zee TV, has informed the High Court at Hyderabad that it is interested in take over AgriGold group as a going business. The Delloitte firm filed an additional affidavit on Monday to this effect, revealing that the name of the interested party that was kept secret in the primary affidavit and to which the Court had expressed reservation.

Senior counsel Raghuram appearing for Delloitte firm informed the division bench comprising of Justice V Ramasubramanian and Justice S V Bhatt that the Foundation would require four months’ time to complete due diligence of the AgriGold assets and liabilities.

The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by the Telangana Agri Gold Customers and Agents Welfare Association seeking a CBI probe into the scam and repayment of monies to the depositors. Raghuram informed the bench that the Foundation is willing to take over all the 175-odd companies of the AgriGold group even by paying thousands of crores. After due diligence, if needed, the Foundation is ready to pay Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 crore, he submitted.

The bench questioned the senior counsel as to the scenario if due diligence the Foundation decided to back out. It suggested that a certain amount needed to be deposited to show the bona fides and for arriving at the figure to be deposited, the bench proposed to calculate the amount required for repaying the small and marginal deposits less than Rs 5,000.

It directed the AgriGold company to submit details of deposits less than Rs 5,000, between Rs 5,000 and10,000 and Rs 10,000 and 20000 of not only in Telugu States but in all the States wherefrom deposits were collected. It also directed the CID, AP, to give its figures, so that a cross-check can be made.

The counsel for the petitioner submitted an affidavit, suggesting that the Court may take up the proposal being made by the interested party subject to certain precautions and conditions. He suggested that the interests of the small and marginal depositors must be met in a priority manner and also sought reduction of time for due diligence from four to two months.

The bench did not agree on reducing the time, but expressed concurrence in meeting the needs of small and marginal depositors first.

MMR. Group which had bid for twice the amounts fetched in e-auction of four properties submitted a cheque for Rs 4.11 crore as 25 per cent of the amount to the court on Monday.

The remaining 75 per cent would be given by September 30. The bench adjourned the case to September 14.

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