The Supreme Court was apprised by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that it has withdrawn the look-out circulars (LOC) imposing travel restrictions on Trinamool Congress (TMC) Member of Parliament (MP) Abhishek Banerjee and his wife.
A bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia took the submission on record, observing that there are consequences when such circulars are issued against anyone.
The court order noted that Additional Solicitor General SV Raju stated that permission has been granted from time to time. Fact remains that there are consequences of LOC and they were stopped at the airport. ASG in usual fairness states that if petitioner informs one week in advance necessary orders will be issued. In any case, the LOC shall stand withdrawn.
On July 24, the Bench had reiterated that citizens have a right to travel abroad, especially for medical reasons.
The Apex Court had also questioned the ED on why such a look out notice was being issued against Banerjee and his wife.
A batch of pleas were been heard by the top court concerning the summons issued by the ED to various political leaders, requiring them to come for interrogation to Delhi.
Notably, the pleas before Court included petitions by K Kavitha and Nalini Chidambaram, which raised questions of whether a woman can be summoned by the ED for questioning to another city on short notice.
The bench adjourned these matters today after stating that they need to be heard on merits.