Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court has declined to interfere with a Sessions Court decision that permitted Sukhwinder Singh, one of the accused in the murder of BJP leader Sonali Phogat, to travel overseas with his wife.
Dismissing a criminal revision petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Justice Valmiki Menezes ruled that the lower court’s order did not warrant the exercise of the High Court’s revisional jurisdiction.
Singh, who is the second accused in the case, had been granted permission by the Sessions Court to travel to Thailand and Dubai between January 30 and February 20. Sessions Judge Irshad Agha allowed the request after Singh stated that the visit was planned to mark his wedding anniversary and to help resolve marital differences.
Challenging the order, the CBI contended that the Sessions Court relied on irrelevant considerations and failed to assign adequate reasons, particularly when arguments on the framing of charges were still pending. The agency also raised apprehensions that Singh, being a non-resident of Goa, might abscond if allowed to travel abroad.
The defence, however, opposed the CBI’s plea, arguing that the freedom to travel internationally is an intrinsic part of the right to personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. Counsel pointed out that Singh had furnished a comprehensive travel itinerary, possessed a valid passport, and had assured the court that his minor daughter would stay back in India.
The High Court took note of the fact that Singh was granted bail in May 2023 and has complied with all bail conditions to date. It also observed that the trial in the case is yet to commence.
With these observations, the court rejected the CBI’s challenge and directed the agency to return Singh’s passport without delay. Singh has been instructed to adhere strictly to the approved travel schedule and to submit copies of his flight tickets to the CBI within 24 hours of booking.
