[REWORK] Delhi High Court directs written submissions to be filed in plea challenging stay on LOC against Aakar Patel

A single judge bench of the Delhi High Court, while hearing an appeal preferred from the judgement of the Special CBI Court setting aside the Look Out Circular (LOC) against Aakar Patel, has directed parties to file written submissions within a week.

Hon'ble Mr. Yogesh Khanna J., while hearing the parties on the circumstances under which an LOC could be issued by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has directed the parties to file brief synopses spelling out their case with regard to the validity of the LOC against the accused, Aakar Patel.

Amnesty International India Chief Aakar Patel, was stopped by CBI from boarding a flight to the US at Bengaluru airport on April 7. He claimed that the impugned action was taken despite a Gujarat court's order granting him permission "specifically for this trip". The CBI stopped him from leaving the country on the basis of a Look Out Circular issued against him in connection with a case registered by the agency against Amnesty International India for alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act, 2010.

Patel had moved Rouse Avenue Court seeking directions to the CBI for withdrawal of the said Look Out Circular and for permission to travel to the United States of America till 30th May 2022 to take up his assignment and lecture series. Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Pawan Kumar J., who was hearing the matter, relied on Delhi High Court's judgment in Prem Pal & Ors. Vs. Commissioner of Police to set aside the LOC issued by the CBI. The court further stated that an apology from CBI's director for lapses on the part of his subordinates would go a "long way" in healing the wounds of the applicant and that it would also uphold the trust and confidence of the public in the premier institution.

The CBI challenged the order of the court and preferred an appeal against the same before the Delhi High Court. The matter has been put up for hearing on May 18.

Cause Title:- Central Bureau of Investigation v Aakar Patel (Crl(MC) - 1844/2022)