The Delhi High Court on Wednesday permitted Congress leader Bhavya Bishnoi, accused under the Black Money Act, 2015, to travel to the United States of America for a two-year post-graduation course, subject to conditions imposed by the court.
The Single-Judge Bench of Justice Rekha Palli imposed a set of conditions on Bhavya, to be followed during his stay in the US. These include:
a) The petitioner will appear before any Office of Indian Embassy once in eight weeks
b) He will inform the respondents about his programme, and
c) He will not tamper with evidence or contact any person involved in investigation
The bench also directed Bhavya’s father and Congress MLA from Adampur, Haryana Kuldeep Bishnoi to file an undertaking, stating that he will not leave the country as long as Bhavya is abroad. Besides the surety of his property located at Phase-I, Ansal Plaza, Greater Noida, UP and Rs five lakh already present with the court, the Court further directed Kuldeep Bishnoi to deposit additional Rs one crore and co-operate with the respondent authorities in all pending enquiries.
Advocate Vibhooti Malhotra vehemently opposed the application. She informed the court that sanction for prosecution of the petitioner and his father under Section 50 of Black Money Act, 2015 has been granted and the matter is listed for hearing on August 6, 2021 at the court of Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Special Acts, Tis Hazari Court.
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Ms Malhotra argued that if the petitioner is permitted to travel abroad, the proceedings initiated against him under the Black Money Act may be rendered infructuous.
Advocate N.P. Sahni, appearing for Bhavya, stated that the petitioner has deep roots in India and his entire family, including his parents and siblings, are residents of Delhi. Mr Sahni further stated that the petitioner’s father is willing to give an undertaking that he will not leave the country as long as the petitioner is studying abroad.