No relief for Aakar Patel as special CBI court refuses to withdraw lookout notice

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, April 12, 2022: The lookout circular (LOC) against former Amnesty India chief Aakar Patel will remain for now, a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation said today, putting a stay on an earlier order that called for the immediate withdrawal of the notice against Patel.

 

The court has reserved its order till 4 pm tomorrow on a plea filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, seeking a review of the order passed by the additional chief metropolitan magistrate (ACMM).

The CBI informed the court today that the Union Home Ministry has sanctioned the prosecution of Aakar Patel and Amnesty International for violating foreign funding rules under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.

On April 6, Aakar Patel, also a journalist, was stopped by authorities at the Bengaluru airport from boarding a flight to the United States after the CBI put him on the exit control list.

According to Patel, the action was a result of the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering case against Amnesty International India. The ED case was based on an FIR filed by the CBI in connection with the alleged violation of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) and Section 120B of the Indian Penal Code (criminal conspiracy).

Patel moved court against the lookout circular against him. While the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court asked CBI to withdraw the LOC, a sessions court later overturned the magistrate court order.

Courtesy: India Today