Sethurathnam Ravi v. Central Bureau Of Investigation,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 26-02-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR Crl.M.P.No. 21421 of 2025 in Crl.O.P.No.24704 of 2025 Sethurathnam Ravi S/o.Thiniam Sethurathnam Subramanian, P-218, Saket, Delhi-110017.
..Petitioner(s) Vs.
Central Bureau Of Investigation, Rep.by Inspector of Police, BS and FC, Bangalore.
..Respondent(s) Prayer: The Criminal Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 528 of BNSS, 2023, seeking permission to the petitioner to travel in October 2025 vide order passed in Crl.OP.No.24704 of 2025 dated 09.09.2025 may be modified to the month of march 2026.
For Petitioner(s):
Mr.V.Karthik, Senior Counsel for Mr.Adithya Varadarajan For Respondent(s):
Mr.K.Srinivasan Special Public Prosecutor (CBI Cases)
ORDER
The matter is listed today under the caption "for being mentioned" at the instance of the learned counsel for the petitioner. 2.The petitioner who obtained an order to travel to England in
Crl.M.P.No.21421 of 2025 in Crl.O.P.No.24704 of 2025 on 25.11.2025, faced obstacle, since the petitioner's Petition / Memo was not entertained and received by the trial Court and the trial Court is insisting for the physical appearance of the petitioner to file the same.
3.The learned counsel referring to paragraph No.5 of the order of this Court dated 25.11.2025, submitted that the petitioner intends to travel to England from 15.03.2026 for a period of 16 days. The condition of this Court is only to inform the trial Court, furnish details and travel itinerary, date of departure and place of stay, contact details and date of return. Further, the petitioner to give an undertaking that as and when directed by the trial Court he shall appear before the trial Court and his absence would not stall the trial proceedings and shall not travel to any other country other than England. Nowhere this Court directed the petitioner to appear in person to file such petition or Memo. Admittedly, the petitioner is residing in Delhi, even in the petition, his Delhi address was only mentioned. Accordingly prays for appropriate orders.
4.The Trial Court had insisted personal appearance of the petitioner. It is for the C.B.I. counsel to oppose the same, but the learned Special Public Prosecutor (C.B.I.) appearing for the respondent submitted that he has no objection, if the petition and undertaking of the petitioner is filed before the trial
Court in his absence. Their only requirement is that the petitioner should return back to India after his 16 days period of stay in England and there should not be any delay in trial proceedings.
5.In paragraph No.5 of the order dated 25.11.2025, this Court directed the petitioner to inform the trial Court and to furnish details of his travel itinerary and contact details, along with undertaking that he would appear before the trial Court as and when required. Nowhere in the order it is stated that the petitioner, who is a resident of Delhi to appear before the trial Court and give such undertaking. More so, in this case, the charge sheet was originally filed in the year 2023, now supplementary charge sheet has been filed and it is yet to be taken on file and the trial has not commenced. Hence, this Court directs the trial Court to receive the undertaking along with the travel itinerary and contact details of the petitioner submitted by his counsel and not to insist the petitioner's physical presence.
6.The order of this Court dated 25.11.2025 in Crl.M.P.No.21421 of 2025 in Crl.O.P.No.24704 of 2025 stands clarified accordingly. 26-02-2026 kas The Inspector of Police Central Bureau Of Investigation BS and FC, Bangalore.
M.NIRMAL KUMAR, J.
kas Crl.M.P.No. 21421 of 2025 in Crl.O.P.No.24704 of 2025 26-02-2026