Ryan Group CEO seeks pre-arrest bail; his parents get interim protection

Mumbai : The Bombay High Court today granted interim protection from arrest to Ryan International Group’s founding chairman and manging director till tomorrow in connection with the murder of a boy at a school run by the group in Gurgaon.

In another development, group CEO Ryan Pinto filed anticipatory bail application in the high court this evening, their lawyer said. Ryan International Group’s founding chairman Augustine Pinto (73) and his wife Grace Pinto (62), the managing director, had yesterday approached the high court here seeking anticipatory bail, apprehending arrest in the case.

Their counsel Niteen Pradhan had yesterday said that along with Augustine and Grace, their son Ryan also filed an anticipatory bail plea. However, Pradhan today said, due to some problem Ryan’s application was not filed in the registry yesterday. The process of filing was completed this evening, and his plea is likely to be heard tomorrow, Pradhan said.

During the hearing this morning, Justice Ajey Gadkari said, “The applicants (Augustine and Grace Pinto) shall not be arrested till tomorrow. The matter is adjourned till tomorrow on the request of the additional public prosecutor appearing for the Maharashtra government.”

Additional public prosecutor Aruna Kamat-Pai told the high court that it would also have to issue notice to and hear the Haryana government, as the offence is registered there. To this, Justice Gadkari said, “For transit anticipatory bail why should this court hear the Haryana government? Let the applicants approach the court concerned there.”

The court, however, posted the matter for tomorrow after Pai said she requires time. Meanwhile, lawyer Gunratan Sadavarte, who was in the court when the matter was being heard, told the high court that he wanted to file an intervening application on behalf of some parents’ associations opposing the bail pleas of the Pintos.

Justice Gadkari, however, refused to hear him and said he can approach the court concerned in Haryana. Two top officials of Ryan International School were earlier arrested while the acting principal was detained for questioning in connection with the murder.