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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Rekha Sharma, J.
Atul Kalsi - Appellant
Versus
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence - Respondent
CrMC No. 3710 of 2008
Decided On : --
ORDER
Crl. M.A. 14190/2008
This is an application for taking on record the revised tentative itinerary of the petitioner regarding his visit to Dubai from December 07, 2008 to December 12, 2008. The application is allowed.
Crl. M.C. 3710/2008
2. This is a petition by the petitioner seeking permission to travel abroad for a period of five days from December 07, 2008 till December 12, 2008.
3. The allegation against the petitioner is that he is guilty of evading custom duty to the tune of Rs.39.35 crores. The petitioner was arrested and was released on bail on December 2, 2006. Two show-cause notices dated May 25, 2007 and February 11, 2008 have been served upon him by the department which are at a preliminary stage and despite lapse of two years, no prosecution has so far been launched against him.
4. The prayer is being opposed by learned counsel appearing for the respondent who contends that keeping in view the magnitude of the evasion of duty which is to the tune of Rs.39.35 crores, petitioner should not be allowed to leave the country. It is also submitted that a petition seeking cancellation of bail of the petitioner has been filed in this Court which is yet to be disposed of. It is, however, not disputed that show-cause notices issued to the petitioner are at a very preliminary stage and no steps have been taken to launch prosecution against him.
5. Having regard to the fact that the petitioner stands admitted to bail and no prosecution till date has been launched against him, I deem it proper to allow him to travel abroad from December 7, 2008 to December 12, 2008, subject to his depositing an FDR for a sum of Rs.10 lacs with the Registrar General of this Court. The Registry shall release the passport of the petitioner and PIO Card after the petitioner has deposited the FDR with the Registrar General. The petitioner on his return shall deposit his passport with the Registrar General within two days.
The petition is disposed of. Dasti.
