Delhi High Court Issues Notice To ED On The Quint's Co-Founder Raghav Bahl's Plea To Travel To USA
The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to the application of The Quint's co-founder Raghav Bahl to travel to USA for upcoming business meetings.
Raghav Bahl sought permission to travel between 18 October and 21 November 2024 for his business meetings in New Jersey and New York, USA.
Today, during the hearing, the counsel for Bahl stated that he has travelled abroad several times before for business meetings. The counsel for ED sought time to seek instructions about ED's position in the matter.
A single judge bench of Justice Anish Dayal heard the matter and issued notice to the ED.
The Income Tax Department had initiated proceedings against Bahl in 2019 for or alleged irregularities in IT returns. Subsequently, the ED registered a case against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
It is pertinent to note that on 23 July 2024, the High Court had suspended the Look-Out Circular (LOC) against Bahl from 14 August till 5 September 2024, for the purposes of travel.
In the application, it is stated that Bahl was granted permission to travel aboard by the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court on many occasions. It is stated that he has travelled abroad 13 times since the registration of a criminal complaint by the Income Tax Department and later by ED. The application also states that he has duly informed the ED of his travel schedule, and whereabouts and has never evaded summons.
The matter is posted for further hearing on 30 September.
Case title: Raghav Bahl V/S Enforcement Directorate Ministry Of Finance (Crl.M.A. 27952/2024 In W.P.(Crl)-2392/2021(Disposed Off Case) With W.P.(Crl) 1686/2022)