Sahara India chief Subrata Roy on Sunday said it was unfortunate that he could not meet Sahara Pariwar members after authorities imposed restrictions at his meeting venue in Cuttack and the place was evacuated.

Apprehending trouble, Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed by police before Roy’s visit. He was scheduled to address the employees of Sahara India and investors at the Indoor Stadium in Cuttack.

“It is very unfortunate that I could not meet around 3,000 members in Cuttack. We had permission but at the last moment, Section 144 has been imposed,” said Roy in a statement.

He said they learnt from the police that some forum threatened to stage agitation and disrupt the meeting in Cuttack.

“Police administration very rightly took the decision otherwise our 3,000 members would have lost their temper and that could have been a big law and order problem. As responsible citizens, we should co-operate with police administration for maintaining peace,” said Roy.

“I shall definitely request the forum people to remember the truth, that good can never be compared with bad. It is pertinent to note that Sahara’s financial services neither was nor is in any chit fund business,” the Sahara India chief added.

He also praised Bhubaneswar police for providing all necessary support.

Police on Sunday asked the people to vacate the place at Indoor Stadium in Cuttack after imposing prohibitory orders.

Notably, after getting parole from the Supreme Court to attend the last rites of his departed mother, the Sahara Group chief has launched an ‘Abhaar Yatra’ from Hyderabad on Saturday.

The purpose of his tour is to meet and thank the Sahara Group employees and the investors who stood by him during “the difficult times”, said sources.

Roy was in prison since March, 2014 for not refunding the investors money. He was granted parole on May 6 to attend the funeral of his mother.

Roy was sent to Tihar Jail for failing to refund money collected from depositors in schemes deemed illegal by market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).