A Delhi court has recently shed light on the significance of our cherished right to travel abroad, reminding us that it can only be curtailed under truly extraordinary circumstances. This remarkable decision came about while granting permission to a businessman embroiled in a mind-boggling INR 135 crore bank loan fraud case to travel to the United States and attend his son's graduation ceremony. Let's delve into the details, shall we?
Delhi Court's Stand on the Right to Travel
Raman Sethi, a businessman, found himself tangled in an alleged bank loan fraud case worth a jaw-dropping INR 135 crore. Yikes! However, amidst all the legal drama, Mr. Sethi had one burning desire—he wanted to jet off to the United States to witness his son's graduation ceremony. Can you blame him? It's a milestone moment that no proud parent should miss.
Balancing Acts: Judge Antil's Conditions for Travel Approval
Luckily, for him, Special Judge Anil Antil came to the rescue and granted Mr. Sethi permission to hop on that flight and make it to the land of the free (from June 12 to June 30, to be precise). But hey, it wasn't a free pass! The judge made it crystal clear that Mr. Sethi had to promise not to meddle with any evidence or pull any tricks to influence witnesses. Fair enough, Judge Antil, we want justice served too!
Now, here's the juicy part: Mr. Sethi had already proven his travel skills just weeks before. He successfully jetted off to the UAE from May 6 to May 12, 2023, and returned unscathed. Talk about a well-stamped passport! But hold on, there's more. Guess what? Our traveler extraordinaire claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had actually issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him, despite him playing the role of the whistleblower in this thrilling case. Plot twist!
Unveiling the Alleged INR 135 Crore Bank Loan Fraud
Let's dive into the fraud case itself. Union Bank of India raised its voice against PCL Oil & Solvents, a company, and its directors/guarantors for pulling a vanishing act on a loan payment. Allegedly, they slyly swiped a staggering INR 135.5 crore by playing tricks with the company's financial records. Sneaky, sneaky!
A Clash of Perspectives: CBI's Reservations and Judge Antil's Travel Advocacy
Naturally, the investigative agency, the CBI, had their reservations about Mr. Sethi's grand plans to travel overseas. They argued that the investigation was still in its early stages, but Judge Antil, being the champion of travel rights that he is, had a different opinion. He firmly believed that the right to explore new horizons should not be compromised unless there are truly exceptional circumstances. Hear, hear!
While our Delhi court has recognized and defended our cherished right to travel abroad. Just remember, don't get tangled up in any fraudulent schemes while you're off exploring the world. Happy travels, my friends!
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