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2019 (4) TMI 1088 - HC - FEMACancellation of the Passport - investigation being conducted under FEMA - Request for an alternate mode of examination by video conferencing - HELD THAT:- In the present case, the petitioner is a non-resident Indian and contends that the provisions of FEMA are inapplicable. Notwithstanding the aforesaid contention, Mr. Tripathi, learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner had made a statement before this Court on 14.08.2018 that the petitioner would provide all documents as required by the respondents even though, according to the petitioner, the same are not required to be disclosed. It is not disputed that in compliance with the aforesaid order, the petitioner has supplied all documents that were called for by the ED. This Court had, during the course of proceedings, also pointedly asked Mr. Amit Mahajan, learned counsel for the respondents that whether there was any other document that was required by the ED. Although, he did not dispute that all documents had been provided, he nonetheless submitted that the petitioner was required to be confronted with certain documents and, therefore, his presence was necessary. The petitioner had voluntarily agreed to appear by teleconferencing and also make all arrangements for the same, however, that was not accepted. In this regard, the Division Bench of this Court in Lalit Kumar Modi [2014 (10) TMI 527 - DELHI HIGH COURT] had observed that FEMA did not entail custodial interrogation and, therefore, a request for an alternate mode of examination by video conferencing ought not to be shrugged aside This Court is of the view that the controversy involved in the present petition is covered by the decision of the Division Bench in Lalit Kumar Modi [2014 (10) TMI 527 - DELHI HIGH COURT] and the petitioner’s passport could not be suspended in public interest. In terms of Section 10(1)(e) of the Passports Act, a passport can be cancelled in cases where offence alleged to have been committed by the holder of passport is pending before a criminal court in India. Further, in terms of Section 10(3)(h) of the Passports Act, a passport can be cancelled if a warrant or summons for the appearance, or a warrant for the arrest, of the holder of the passport has been issued by a Court under any law for the time being in force. Criminal prosecution as contemplated under Section 13(1C) of FEMA can be commenced by filing a criminal complaint. Plainly, if such a complaint is filed and summons are issued by a competent court, the passport facilities provided to the accused could be withdrawn by virtue of Section 10(3)(h) of the Passports Act. Impugned order suspending the petitioner’s passport is set aside. However, it is clarified that respondent no.3/ED is not precluded from initiating any other proceedings as permissible in law.
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