New Delhi: A Delhi court has directed ED to suspend a lookout circular (LOC) against Dinesh Arora, an accused-turned-approver in the alleged money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy.
“The right to travel abroad has been considered to be an important facet of the right to life and liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, and there is no reason why this right should not be made available to an approver or a witness,” the court of special judge Kaveri Baweja said. The court added that Arora was earlier allowed to travel abroad, and he returned to the country, complying with the conditions imposed by the court.
The court directed ED to suspend the LOC for the period of his travel from Dec 21-30 to Milan in Italy and London in the UK.
The court noted that Arora had earlier been granted bail in both the money laundering and the related corruption case being probed by CBI, said that even otherwise, after the tender of pardon to him in these cases, his status was now that of an approver or a witness.
As far as the apprehension of the prosecution is concerned, that he may not join the investigation or trial of this case during the period of his journey abroad, the same can be taken care of by imposing conditions, the court said.
