A Delhi court has quashed a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against businessman Ankit Aggarwal in a money laundering investigation linked to Amarendra Dhari Singh.
Special Judge Jitendra Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court ordered the agency to withdraw the LOC within 48 hours.
The decision was made on Wednesday after hearing Aggarwal's application seeking cancellation of the LOC in the case titled Directorate of Enforcement vs Amarendra Dhari Singh & Ors. The court ruled that the LOC's purpose had been fulfilled, noting that Aggarwal had cooperated with the investigation throughout.
The judgement highlighted that Aggarwal had participated in the investigation on more than 27 occasions, with no attempts from the ED to arrest him or issue warrants. It further stated there was no evidence suggesting he was a flight risk or had tried to evade the inquiry. The court also referred to the Delhi High Court's earlier grant of anticipatory bail, which imposed no restrictions on his foreign travel.
Moreover, the court recorded that Aggarwal had previously received permission to travel abroad over 20 times, complying with all imposed conditions during those journeys. No allegations surfaced regarding attempts to influence witnesses or tamper with evidence.
Aggarwal argued that the LOC lacked proper justification and infringed on his fundamental right to travel abroad. He explained that his business activities require frequent international travel, including work linked to overseas tenders for outsourcing of Consular Passport and Visa services by the Ministry of External Affairs.
The ED opposed the plea, stating that the investigation involving entities connected to the Alankit Group of Companies was ongoing and the LOC was necessary to ensure Aggarwal's availability during the probe.
However, the court found the ED had not produced evidence demonstrating that Aggarwal's foreign travel would harm the country's economic interests or public interest as required by government guidelines governing LOC issuance. The ruling concluded that maintaining the LOC would unjustly restrict Aggarwal's right to travel.
The court allowed the application and directed the ED to withdraw the Look Out Circular within 48 hours of receiving the order.