The High Court of Karnataka on Thursday ordered issue of notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a petition filed by managing director of a company engaged in mining-related activities questioning the non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against him by the Special Court for CBI cases, though he was not an accused in the case of illegal export of iron ore from Belekeri Port.
Justice A.S. Bopanna passed the order on the petition filed by Prem Chand Garg, managing director of Shri Lal Mahal Ltd., New Delhi.
It has been pointed out in the petition that the CBI had, in September 2013, asked the petitioner to appear before it but he could not appear as he was abroad at that time.
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However, the Special Court, on November 30, 2013, issued a non-bailable warrant against him based on the allegation made by the CBI that one of the directors of the company, Raj Kumar, had given a statement that the managing director of the company was aware of the company’s business in iron ore.
It was also claimed in the petition that Mr. Raj Kumar was arrested by the CBI on September 23, 2013 and he was denied bail and sent to judicial custody.
Finally, Mr. Raj Kumar was ordered to be released by the Special Court on November 21, 2013, as the CBI filed a report that he was not involved in the case.
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While expressing the apprehension that he may be arrested, though he is not involved in any illegal act, the petitioner said that he was voluntarily ready to appear before the CBI for questioning.
Meanwhile, in another case, Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das set aside a non-bailable warrant issued against Sushil Kumar Valecha, one of the directors of the company, in connection with the same case as Mr. Valecha undertook to appear before the CBI for custodial interrogation.
However, the High Court has given liberty to the CBI to arrest him, if needed, as per the law. Mr. Valecha was asked to appear before the CBI on February 10.