Ahmed A.R.Buhari v. The Joint Director,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30.04.2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN WP Crl. No.1037 of 2026 Ahmed A.R.Buhari .. Petitioner -vsThe Joint Director, Directorate of Enforcement, Government of India, South Zonal Office, III Floor, III Block, No.26, Haddows Road, Chennai 600 006.
.. Respondent Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to forthwith return the Fixed Deposit Receipt bearing No.1154501000187911/1 dated 11.03.2020 for Rs.50,00,000/- issued by Karur Vysya Bank, Anna Nagar Branch, Chennai, to the petitioner, together with all accrued interest till date.
For Petitioner :
Mr.N.Balaji For Respondent :
Mr.N.Ramesh Spl. Public Prosecutor for ED cases * * * * *
ORDER
(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeks a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to forthwith return the Fixed Deposit Receipt bearing No.1154501000187911/1 dated 11.03.2020 for Rs.50,00,000/- issued by Karur Vysya Bank, Anna Nagar Branch, Chennai, to the petitioner.
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner contends that pursuant to the case registered by the respondent/Directorate of Enforcement on 31.01.2018, which culminated into Special C.C.No.1 of 2022 on the file of XII Additional Court for CBI Cases, Chennai, a lookout circular came to be issued against the petitioner. The said lookout circular was challenged by the petitioner before this Court in WP No.3949 of 2020 and vide order dated 10.03.2020, this Court permitted the petitioner to travel abroad, on certain conditions, one of which is to furnish FDR of Rs.50,00,000/- before the respondent. In compliance of the conditions imposed, the petitioner furnished the FDR of Rs.50,00,000/- before the respondent.
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the predicate offence registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation on 22.01.2018 has been quashed by the Delhi High Court, vide order dated 16.09.2025 in Crl.M.C.No.2639 of 2021, Crl.M.A.No.4776 of 2023 and Crl.M.A.No.15461 of 2025. Taking note of the fact that the predicate offence itself has been quashed, this Court, vide order dated 07.10.2025 in Crl.O.P.No.12147 of 2025, quashed the PMLA proceedings in Special C.C.No.1 of 2022 and consequent thereto, vide order dated 07.10.2025 in W.P. Crl.No.663 of 2025, this Court directed the respondent to lift the Look Out Circular issued against the petitioner on 31.01.2018 forthwith.
4. Therefore, the learned counsel submits that as both the predicate offence and the PMLA proceedings are quashed and the Lookout circular had also been directed to be lifted by this Court, the FDR furnished in lieu of the Lookout Circular may be directed to be returned to the petitioner forthwith.
5. In view of the aforesaid, the Lookout Circular is no more in existence and the FDR of Rs.50,00,000/- furnished by the petitioner in compliance with condition imposed for suspending the lookout circular
to travel abroad is to be returned forthwith to the petitioner. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the respondent to return the FDR of Rs.50,00,000/- furnished by the petitioner as expeditiously as possible, preferably, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of the order. There shall be no order as to costs.
(SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ.) (G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.) 30.04.2026 Index : Yes/No : Yes/No sra To The Joint Director, Directorate of Enforcement, Government of India, South Zonal Office, III Floor, III Block, No.26, Haddows Road, Chennai 600 006.
THE HON'BLE CHIEF JUSTICE AND G.ARUL MURUGAN, J.
(sra) WP Crl. No.1037 of 2026 30.04.2026