Bail cash ‘arranged’, Subrata Roy ready for Farewell Tihar
By Shantanu Guha Ray
Buzz in Delhi says the Sahara boss, who is organising a series of entertainment shows for the prison staff and inmates, could be a free man before the summer holidays.
They are calling it Farewell Tihar. Encouraged by reports that the Rs 10,000 crore needed for bail has been finally organized, Sahara boss Subrata Roy is getting ready to leave Delhi’s maximum-security prison. The capital is abuzz with news that the cash has finally been organized by the Lucknow-based conglomerate and that Roy could end his 14-month hiatus - a record for a corporate captain of his stature - around the time the courts close for summer holidays.
“We have been trying hard to raise funds to secure his release,” said a Sahara India spokesperson. “We are pledging whatever we can at this point in time to ensure his exit from Tihar. We are confident we will be able to raise the money to secure his release before the summer holidays.”
It is reliably learnt that to secure Roy’s release, Sahara is pledging whatever real estate the group has.
Highly placed sources in Tihar claim the 14-month incarceration has left Roy - who called himself managing worker, once wore cash on his shirt and fancied parties with floral rains from a helicopter - a transformed man. On March 4, Roy, 67, marked a star sign on his prison wall to indicate a year in jail.
The Sahara chief, who has kept himself fit by playing badminton regularly, has been keeping track of his business, indicating to his staffers that once out his immediate focus would be on media outlets like its television channels and newspaper. Late last month, he called a meeting of regional media heads and asked why their channels were not among the top three news channels. Cash and staff morale were problems, he was told. It is reliably learnt that Roy has given 25 days to his managers to come back to him with a game plan for the channels.
Roy has continued his motivation letters from the prison to his employees, two of whom have already committed suicide. “I am coming out soon, have faith in me, the company. Work hard, please do not get worried about salary delays,” he wrote. “I do not have a magic wand in my hand. We are going through a crisis... But we will grow, faster than before.”
Meanwhile, Roy has other plans - among them a grandiose farewell to the jail staff and prisoners in the form of a series of entertainment shows. The first one was held last year when singers Sapna Mukherjee (of Tridev fame) and Sonu Nigam performed for three hours before a packed audience. Bollywood star Salman Khan, who has tried unsuccessfully to meet Roy, has also agreed to perform at Tihar. And last month, the jail authorities - encouraged by Roy - have started a Sunday morning series involving top classical musicians. Two weeks ago, Grammy nominee flutist Ronu Mazumdar performed in Tihar. “Many lined up for classes with me,” the musician said.
Next on the list is a sitar-cello duet by Subhendra Rao and Saskiya Rao. “We want to bring positivity in the lives of the inmates,” said Alok Kumar Verma, director general (prison).
Dipayan Mazumdar, head of Legends of India, the Delhi-based cultural group organizing the shows with Tihar, is optimistic of roping in Roy - even after he leaves the prison - to continue the shows throughout the year. “It will be a big help,” said Mazumdar.
Roy has also been meeting prisoners during the daily “free time”. He has advised many to start their own business because of India’s troubled job market, recounting days when he drove a Lambretta scooter across Lucknow to promote his company. The book he wishes to write is almost ready, Roy has been writing for one or two hours every day. He wants to write on prison reforms and, of course, on those who “forgot him”, including friends from the corporate world and Bollywood stars.
“You know who are your friends when you are in bad times,” Roy wrote in his last motivational letter to employees. In the jail he has, however, remained silent when asked about his “betrayers”.
Buzz in Delhi says the Sahara boss, who is organising a series of entertainment shows for the prison staff and inmates, could be a free man before the summer holidays.
They are calling it Farewell Tihar. Encouraged by reports that the Rs 10,000 crore needed for bail has been finally organized, Sahara boss Subrata Roy is getting ready to leave Delhi’s maximum-security prison. The capital is abuzz with news that the cash has finally been organized by the Lucknow-based conglomerate and that Roy could end his 14-month hiatus - a record for a corporate captain of his stature - around the time the courts close for summer holidays.
Roy was imprisoned after he failed to appear for multiple court hearings in his firm's legal battle with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The funds raised are to help repay lakhs of small-town investors who trusted Sahara’s “chit funds” with their savings. Roy must pay Rs 5,000 crore in cash and Rs 5,000 crore in bank guarantees to the Supreme Court. His company has paid Rs 3,117 crore to date.
“We have been trying hard to raise funds to secure his release,” said a Sahara India spokesperson. “We are pledging whatever we can at this point in time to ensure his exit from Tihar. We are confident we will be able to raise the money to secure his release before the summer holidays.”
It is reliably learnt that to secure Roy’s release, Sahara is pledging whatever real estate the group has.
Highly placed sources in Tihar claim the 14-month incarceration has left Roy - who called himself managing worker, once wore cash on his shirt and fancied parties with floral rains from a helicopter - a transformed man. On March 4, Roy, 67, marked a star sign on his prison wall to indicate a year in jail.
The Sahara chief, who has kept himself fit by playing badminton regularly, has been keeping track of his business, indicating to his staffers that once out his immediate focus would be on media outlets like its television channels and newspaper. Late last month, he called a meeting of regional media heads and asked why their channels were not among the top three news channels. Cash and staff morale were problems, he was told. It is reliably learnt that Roy has given 25 days to his managers to come back to him with a game plan for the channels.
Roy has continued his motivation letters from the prison to his employees, two of whom have already committed suicide. “I am coming out soon, have faith in me, the company. Work hard, please do not get worried about salary delays,” he wrote. “I do not have a magic wand in my hand. We are going through a crisis... But we will grow, faster than before.”
Meanwhile, Roy has other plans - among them a grandiose farewell to the jail staff and prisoners in the form of a series of entertainment shows. The first one was held last year when singers Sapna Mukherjee (of Tridev fame) and Sonu Nigam performed for three hours before a packed audience. Bollywood star Salman Khan, who has tried unsuccessfully to meet Roy, has also agreed to perform at Tihar. And last month, the jail authorities - encouraged by Roy - have started a Sunday morning series involving top classical musicians. Two weeks ago, Grammy nominee flutist Ronu Mazumdar performed in Tihar. “Many lined up for classes with me,” the musician said.
Next on the list is a sitar-cello duet by Subhendra Rao and Saskiya Rao. “We want to bring positivity in the lives of the inmates,” said Alok Kumar Verma, director general (prison).
Dipayan Mazumdar, head of Legends of India, the Delhi-based cultural group organizing the shows with Tihar, is optimistic of roping in Roy - even after he leaves the prison - to continue the shows throughout the year. “It will be a big help,” said Mazumdar.
Roy has also been meeting prisoners during the daily “free time”. He has advised many to start their own business because of India’s troubled job market, recounting days when he drove a Lambretta scooter across Lucknow to promote his company. The book he wishes to write is almost ready, Roy has been writing for one or two hours every day. He wants to write on prison reforms and, of course, on those who “forgot him”, including friends from the corporate world and Bollywood stars.
“You know who are your friends when you are in bad times,” Roy wrote in his last motivational letter to employees. In the jail he has, however, remained silent when asked about his “betrayers”.
