Subrata Roy bail: SC questions Sahara's ability to pay amount

A concerned Supreme Court (SC) asked jailed Sahara chairman Subrata Roy on Tuesday as to how will he refund investors when he is struggling to arrange the bail amount of Rs 10,000 crore.

The SC asked the question as the Group sought extension of facilities inside Tihar Jail by four to six weeks to enable Roy negotiate deals with prospective buyers of his assets.

"You are struggling to pay Rs 10,000 crore. How will you pay Rs 30,000 crore after coming out," a Bench headed by Justice TS Thakur asked. The court also asked the counsel for Sahara to file an appropriate application in regard to its request for extension of jail facilities.

The court did not set a date to consider the request, said lawyers for the Group. "A request has been made to allow the use of office premises for six more weeks in view of the ongoing negotiations. The court order on this should come soon, probably later this week," one of the lawyers for Sahara requesting anonymity told news agency Reuters. A spokesman for Sahara declined to comment on the extension request.

Roy has the court's approval to use the office space until February 20.