Mirach Capital hits back at Sahara; offers to buy out overseas hotels
2 min read 06 Feb 2015, 12:19 PM ISTA non-defiant Mirach offered a full buy out of Sahara's three iconic hotels in the US and the UK
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New York: Hitting back at Sahara, US-based Mirach Capital on Friday rejected accusations of indulging in forgery and counter-accused the Indian group of walking out of the ₹ 2 billion loan arrangement fearing repayment defaults.
Mirach refused to comment on earlier claims that the banker arranged by it for the deal was Bank of America Corp., whose denial being party to any such transaction blew the lid on the alleged forgery.
However, a non-defiant Mirach offered a full buy out of Sahara’s three iconic hotels in the US and the UK.
In a statement, Mirach CEO Saransh Sharma steered clear of the issue of a Bank of America letter it furnished as guarantee of funds in an escrow account for Sahara, which then placed it before the Supreme Court but later found it to be “forged".
He further accused Sahara of repeatedly undermining a transaction for sale of its properties and said it “wasted" the time of its investors as also that of Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) and the courts.
“In light of recent comments made by Sahara, we would like to offer the following details in an effort to provide transparency and give a comprehensive view of what has transpired to date. “Mirach has faced a number of challenges in closing this transaction; nevertheless, we remain steadfast and are ready, willing, and able to acquire these assets," he added.
Sharma further said: “The Amicus Curiae, Sahara’s legal counsel, Subrata Roy, and other essential parties, including our investors, have been made privy to the details indicating our willingness and ability to successfully execute this transaction. “In spite of the court mandates to raise bail, Sahara has always been and continues to be an unwilling seller of these assets. They have thus repeatedly acted to undermine the transaction, and thereby waste the time of our investors, Sebi, and the honourable Supreme Court of India.
“The dangerous allegations made by Sahara are indicative of a direct intent to destabilize a deal structure that, given its high rate of return, would benefit Mirach and its investors."
Separately, the Enforcement Directorate on Friday slapped a show cause notice on Sahara group for alleged violations of foreign exchange laws to the tune of ₹ 3,600 crore in connection with the purchase of a luxury property in London few years back.
Sahara has filed a defamation case in a Patna court against Mint’s editor and some reporters over the newspaper’s coverage of the company’s dispute with Sebi. Mint is contesting the case.
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