SC grounds Chandraswami's plans for foreign visit

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed a Delhi High Court order allowing controversial tantrik Chandraswami, who is facing prosecution in a dozen criminal case, to go abroad to meet his disciples. Chandraswami alias Nemi Chand Jain was allowed to go abroad by the High Court on 31st January on a condition that he would deposit Rs 1.2 crore as a security. However, the Enforcement Directorate challenged the High Court order and a Bench headed by Justice B N Agrawal agreed to stay it till further order. Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, appearing for ED, alleged that the tantrik was intentionally prolonging the case against him and he had still not paid Rs eight crore as penalty. "In every case before the trial court he has sought around 27 adjournments. We want to complete the trial in a time bound manner within two months if no further adjournment is sought by him," Subramanium said while seeking a stay on the High Court order. The counsel appearing for Chandraswami assured the court that he would not travel abroad till 10th March when the matter would be taken up by the Court and there was no need to stay the order. The Bench, however, was not satisfied with assurance and stayed the High Court's order. While allowing the tantrik to go on a month-long trip to United Kingdom (UK), UAE and Mauritius to meet his disciples, the High Court had directed him to deposit Rs 1.2 crore as a security. The ED has registered as many as nine FERA cases and the CBI has lodged a cheating case and a case for his involvement in the conspiracy to assassinate former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1996.

"Loved reading this piece by Prakash Yedhula?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group