Disproportionate assets case: Delhi Court allows Vakamulla Chandrashekhar to travel

A Delhi Court allowed Vakamulla Chandrashekhar, an accused in a disproportionate assets case involving former Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, to travel to the USA.

Chandrashekhar, Director and Promoter of Tarini Group of Compes has been allowed to travel between June 8 to June 25 for his 'daughter's convocation ceremony.'

Chandrashekhar sought permission to travel submitting that he has given the address of his stay and is a permanent resident of Delhi and there is no chance of him absconding from the course of justice.

However, Enforcement Directorate (ED) through its counsel Naveen Kumar Matta opposed the plea of Chandrashekhar and submitted that the case is almost at the final stage and there is credible evidence against the accused.

"The reason cited for travelling abroad is not cogent and convocation ceremony will be held even without the presence of the accused", ED counsel stated in court.

According to the ED's case, Chandrashekhar is involved in projecting the illicit money of Virbhadra Singh to the tune of Rs 5.9 crore and Rs 1.19 crore as untainted by receiving cash from him and providing entries in his bank account through various entities under his influence.

After the conclusion of arguments, special CBI Judge Arun Bhardwaj permitted Chandershekar to travel abroad to the USA with the condition that he needs to furnish additional security of Rs 10 lakhs.

He also needs to furnish a detailed affidavit disclosing his detailed programme including his stay at various stations abroad and telephone numbers and residential address before his departure.