SANJEEV SACHDEVA, J.

CM No. 19123/2017 (exemption)

Allowed, subject to all just exceptions.

W.P.(C) 4373/2017

1. The petitioner, by the present petition, seeks a direction to Respondent No. 1 – CBI as well as the respondent No. 2 – Regional Passport Officer, Chandigarh to release the passport of the petitioner seized vide seizure memo dated 03.03.2014 in complaint case No. RC. BD1/2014/E/2004, P.S. : CBI/BS&FC/New Delhi under Section 120-B r/w.409/411/420/467/468/471/474 IPC titled as “State (CBI) vs. Nirmal Singh Bhangoo & Ors pending in the Court of Ms Charu Aggarwal, CMM (West) Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi.

2. It is contended that the petitioner was called for an investigation and inquiry in 2014 and the passport of the petitioner was directed to be surrendered. The passport was thereafter seized in 2014.

3. It is submitted that the charge-sheet was filed in the said case, for the investigation of which the petitioner was called, however, petitioner was not arrayed as an accused. It is contended that till date, the petitioner is not arrayed as an accused by the respondent – CBI.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner relies on the decision in the case of Suresh Nanda versus Centra