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The Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta today informed a Supreme Court bench of Justices Chandrachud and Surya Kant that Raghav Bahl, the founder of The Quint and an accused in a money laundering case, can travel abroad subject to him and his wife producing an undertaking on the date of return and providing the itinerary.

The Supreme Court had in December 2021 protected Bahl from being arrested by Enforcement Directorate.

Bahl had approached the Supreme Court after Delhi High Court refused to grant him protection in the case. The ED initiated a case of money laundering against Bahl after a complaint by the Income Tax (I-T) Department and an allegation that he had laundered funds to purchase a mansion in London.

When the matter came up for hearing today, Sr. Adv. Shyam Divan, appearing for Bahl submitted that Bahl and his wife are to travel abroad for health reasons and that the order of the Court protecting Bahl does not clarify whether or not he can travel. SG Tushar Mehta, appearing for ED submitted that he has to taken instructions in this regard, hence the bench initially adjourned the matter to Wednesday.

However, as the bench was rising, the SG informed them that he has taken instructions and Bahl can be permitted to travel subject to him and his wife producing an undertaking on the date of return and providing the itinerary.

The Court on hearing the SG’s statement sought Diwan’s opinion on the same. On Diwan agreeing to it, the court adjourned the matter to Friday (March 11) for compliance.

Cause Title: Raghav Bahl vs Union of India