George Fernandes v. The Assistant Director,

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 14.08.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Dr.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN George Fernandes, (M/A 56 Yrs), S/o.Henry George, No.11/13, 2nd Street, Anbazhan Nagar, Perambur, Chennai-600 011.

... Petitioner/Accused-1 /versus/ The Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement Government of India, Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue, 2nd & 3rd Floor, C-Block, 84, Greams Road, Chennai- 600 006.

(ECIRNo. 22 of 2011 ) ... Respondent/Complainant Prayer: Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, pleased to enlarge the petitioner on bail in connection with C.C.No.59 of 2016 on the file of this Hon'ble Court. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Rafi Babu For Respondent : Mr.S.Sasi Kumar, Special Public Prosecutor (EO)

O R D E R

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The present petition has been filed seeking bail in ECIR No.22 of 2011 for the offences under Sections 3, 4 and 8(5) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

2. The petitioner, who is a named accused in the above case, failed to appear before the Court and consequently, a Non-Bailable Warrant was issued against him on 16.08.2017, which came to be executed only on 31.10.2025, nearly after seven years. He now seeks bail citing his health condition.

3. The learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) appearing for the respondent submits that the case is posted for examination of witnesses and if the petitioner is enlarged on bail, he may again abscond and unavailable for trial. This Court has force in the said submission, in view of the previous conduct of the petitioner. Hence, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed.

4. The respondent is directed to take all endeavours to complete the trial within a period of two months from today, taking note of the fact that the crime was registered almost 24 years ago and there has been no progress in the trial, due to the abscondence of the petitioner, who is now confined in prison. 2/4

14.08.2025 bsm Note :

1. Registry is directed to forthwith upload this order in the Official Website of this Court.

2. All concerned to act on this order being uploaded in Official Website of this Court without insisting on certified hard copies. To be noted, this order when uploaded in the official website of this Court will be watermarked and will also have a QR code. To:

1.The Assistant Director, Directorate of Enforcement Government of India, Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue, 2nd & 3rd Floor, C-Block, 84, Greams Road, Chennai- 600 006.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras. 3/4

Dr.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.

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