The Sahara group on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that it was ?impossible? to furnish details with supporting documents to establish if it had refunded any money raised from 3.3 crore investors through OFCD scheme within 10 days as directed by the court in its August 31, 2012, judgment.

Senior counsel Jethmalani told a bench comprising justices KS Radhakrishnan and JS Khehar that the task of delivery of documents within 10 days as directed by Supreme Court was ?an impossible task as the court, while fixing the time period, was not aware of the voluminous documents involved in the matter?.

He pointed out that the documents of 3 crore accounts had to be collated and collected from rural and urban areas, which was an impossible task.

Jethmalani also cited case laws to show that the contempt petition should clearly specify the basis on which the contempt has been alleged. A mere statement that a contemnor is in contempt in violation of the order is not good enough.

However, the bench said that “10 days has history behind it. It’s not only 10 days, but Sebi has been asking for the documents innumerable times. You got three years to produce documents at every stage, before Sebi and SAT (Securities Appellate Tribunal).”

Further, wilful disobedience has to be supported by facts, which have not been stated in the contempt petition, he argued, adding that even if stated in contempt petition, they have to be proved beyond doubt, Sahara stated.

With regards to refund of the money, the senior counsel said that Sahara had already paid substantial amount to the investors before August 31, 2012. Further, the outstanding amount has already been deposited with Sebi, which is more than enough to pay the investors.

The apex court was hearing Sahara’s argument in the contempt petitions filed by Sebi, which alleged that the two Sahara entities ? Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (now known as Sahara Commodity Services Corporation) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation ? failed to refund the money to public within the time frame fixed by the apex court on November 30 last year and then December 5.

Earlier the court had issued contempt notices to the companies, Sahara group promoter Subrata Roy and the three directors on Sebi’s plea for not obeying the apex court’s last year’s judgment, which asked the two firms to refund around Rs 24,000 crore to its investors by November 30.