DMD Advocates Secures Quashing Of LOC Issued By CBI Against Dr. Prannoy Roy And Mrs. Radhika Roy

DMD Advocates Secures Quashing of LOC Issued by CBI Against Dr. Prannoy Roy and Mrs. Radhika Roy

The leading law firm in India, DMD Advocates successfully represented Dr. Prannoy Roy and Mrs. Radhika Roy before the Hon’ble Delhi High Court in a petition challenging the purported Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against them, safeguarding their constitutional right to travel abroad and personal liberty.

Proceedings Before the Court

The Petitioners had preferred the present petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking quashing of the LOC issued against them, which restricted their ability to travel abroad freely. The Hon’ble Court of Justice Sachin Datta reserved the matter for judgment on 19.12.2025. The judgment was pronounced on 20.03.2026, allowing the petition and quashing the LOC, subject to the Petitioners furnishing an undertaking via affidavit affirming their cooperation with the investigation and providing material/documents as requested by the investigating agency.

The Court observed that there was no material on record suggesting that the Petitioners had ever evaded the law, failed to cooperate with the investigation, or attempted to abscond. It further stated that the indefinite continuation of the LOC could not be justified. The prolonged pendency of the investigation, coupled with the absence of evidence indicating intent to obstruct or evade, rendered the continued restriction on their right to travel unjustified. The Court emphasised that denying the Petitioners the ability to freely travel abroad for such an extended period, without material justification, constituted substantial prejudice and an unwarranted curtailment of their personal liberty.

Background of the Case

On 09.08.2019, the Petitioners were prevented from boarding a flight due to the LOC issued against them by CBI. On 02.06.2017, a FIR (No. RC-2172017000/CBI/ACU-V/AC-II/New-Delhi) was registered by CBI based on a complaint by Mr. Sanjay Dutt of M/s Quantum Securities Pvt. Ltd. Subsequently, the LOC was issued on 20.06.2019 for a period of one year. Post-investigation, a closure report was filed and accepted on 23.01.2025 by the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue District Courts, Delhi.

Thereafter, on 19.08.2019, another FIR (RC2172019A0005/CBI/ACU-V/AC-II/New-Delhi) was registered, and the LOC against the Petitioners was issued on 11.01.2021. The Petitioners were called to join the investigation at the preliminary enquiry stage; however, the investigation remains pending. Being aggrieved by the LOC, the Petitioners filed the present writ petition challenging its issuance and the constitutional validity of the related office memorandums.

Legal Representation

Senior Advocate Manu Sharma, along with DMD Advocates led by Anuradha Dutt (Founder & Managing Partner, Delhi), Pawan Sharma (Partner), Suman Yadav (Partner), Saurabh Singh Ahluwalia (Counsel), Kunal Dutt (Counsel), Nishant Varun (Principal Associate), and Abhyuday Sharma, appeared for the Petitioners Dr. Prannoy Roy and Mrs. Radhika Roy.

Conclusion

This judgment reaffirms the fundamental right to travel abroad as an integral part of personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. It underscores that restrictions, such as LOCs, must be supported by material evidence and cannot be imposed indefinitely without justification. DMD Advocates’ successful intervention highlights the firm’s expertise in protecting constitutional rights and ensuring lawful administrative action.

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