George Fernandes v. The Assistant Director,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 30.10.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE K.RAJASEKAR Crl.O.P.No.27837 of 2025 George Fernandes ... Petitioner Vs.
The Assistant Director Director of Enforcement Government of India Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, 2nd and 3rd Floor, C-Block 84 Greams Road, Chennai-600 006.
... Respondent (ECIR No.22 of.2011) PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to enlarge the petitioner on bail, in connection with CC.No.59 of 2016 on the file of the Principal Sessions Court, Chennai.
For Petitioner : Mr.R.Rafi Babu For Respondent : Mr.S.Sasi Kumar Special Public Prosecutor 1/4
O R D E R
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 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. This Court had earlier considered the bail petition filed by the petitioner and dismissed the same with a direction to the respondent to complete the trial within a period of two months. Thereafter, the trial progressed and P.W.1 was examined. However, the report of the learned Principal Judge, City Civil Court, Chennai reveals that the accused had filed a petition for deferring the cross-examination and has not yet crossexamined the witness. Subsequently, the accused sought further time for cross-examining P.W.1. In the meantime, the prosecution has also filed a petition under Section 311 of Cr.P.C. to examine additional witnesses, and the same is pending consideration.
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4. The learned Government Advocate (Criminal Side) appearing for the respondent reiterated the prosecution case and submitted that two witnesses are proposed to be added in this case and that the said petition is pending. He further submitted that if one month's time is granted, there is a possibility of completing the trial.
5. Recording the same, I am of the view that there is no possibility of granting bail, since the petitioner has been absconding for nearly seven years.
6. Accordingly, this criminal original petition stands dismissed. 30.10.2025 Vv To
1. The Principal Sessions Court, Chennai.
2. The The Assistant Director Director of Enforcement Government of India Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, 2nd and 3rd Floor, C-Block 84 Greams Road, Chennai-600 006.
3. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras.
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K.RAJASEKAR , J.
Vv Crl.O.P.No.27837 of 2025 30.10.2025 4/4