SUDHEER SRIRAM Vs. JOINT SECRETARY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) CHALLENGE in this writ petition is to Annexure -A order dated 30.05.2012 passed by the 1st respondent.

(2.) BY the said order, considering the serious nature of allegations leveled against the petitioner and taking note of the fact that the Central Bureau of Investigation (for short 'CBI') had not yet completed the investigation into the allegations made against the petitioner, the 1st respondent has continued the order passed earlier impounding the passport of the petitioner until investigation in the case was completed.

(3.) AS can be seen from the facts of the case pleaded in the writ petition and as is discernable form the records, a criminal case has been registered against the petitioner for violation of the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act and also the provisions of Indian Penal Code. CBI has been investigating the matter. Aggrieved by the order dated 29.12.2009 impounding the passport, petitioner had earlier filed an appeal before the Appellate authority -1st respondent herein. 1st respondent upheld the order passed by the Passport Officer impounding the passport and ordered vide his order dated 17.01.2011 that the impounding of the passport may be continued until 31.03.2012. After the expiry of the outer limit fixed as 31.03.2012, present order is passed extending the operation of the order impounding the passport till the investigation in the case was completed.