Notify all airports: Supreme Court orders look-out notice against Satinder Singh Bhasin in Grand Venice case

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered issuance of a look-out notice against businessman Satinder Singh Bhasin after noting that he had failed to surrender despite cancellation of his bail earlier this month in the Grand Venice fraud case [Louleen Kaur Bhalla & Anr. v. The State Of Delhi & Anr.]. .A Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and NK Singh directed authorities to take all necessary steps to secure Bhasin’s presence, including notifying airports across the country. The Court also directed the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh to personally ensure compliance with its earlier order requiring Bhasin to surrender..The proceedings arose from criminal cases registered against Bhasin in Delhi and Noida alleging that he cheated investors in connection with the Grand Venice residential and commercial project in Greater Noida.In November 2019, the Supreme Court had granted Bhasin bail subject to strict conditions, including a requirement that he make genuine efforts to settle claims of aggrieved investors.However, several allottees later approached the Court seeking cancellation of his bail, alleging that he had failed to comply with these conditions.On April 2 this year, the Supreme Court cancelled Bhasin’s bail after finding that he had not honoured the undertaking to settle disputes with investors.The Court then directed him to surrender within one week and ordered forfeiture of ₹50 crore that had been deposited earlier as part of bail conditions..During today’s hearing, the Court noted that Bhasin had still not surrendered and directed that he must surrender immediately before the Superintendent of Police, Lukshar Jail in Gautam Buddh Nagar district.The Bench also ordered that all assets belonging to Bhasin shall remain frozen and restrained him from creating any third-party rights over them.Further, the Court directed Bhasin to furnish a complete list of his assets and liabilities by May 4.The Court additionally ordered that rental income received in the name of companies where Bhasin is a promoter or shareholder - except those already undergoing insolvency proceedings - shall not be released until further orders.It also directed the State authorities to initiate appropriate proceedings against Bhasin under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)..Notably, the Court also stayed the operation of an April 8 order passed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate-in-charge of Gautam Buddh Nagar which had rejected Bhasin’s application seeking permission to surrender.The matter will next be taken up on May 4, when the Court is expected to review compliance with its earlier orders..[Read Order].Louleen Kaur Bhalla & Anr. v. The State Of Delhi & Anr.