Withdraw Look-Out Circular Against Ex-Amnesty India Chief Aakar Patel: Delhi Court Tells CBI

However, Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann overruled the CBI director's directive to deliver a formal apology to Patel for the agency's actions against him.

Former Amnesty India Chair Aakar Patel. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: On Saturday, a Delhi court upheld a ruling instructing the CBI to drop the lookout alert against Amnesty International India Board chair Aakar Patel, news agency PTI reported.

However, Special Judge Santosh Snehi Mann overruled the CBI director's directive to deliver a formal apology to Patel for the agency's actions against him.

The court also warned the CBI that its investigative and prosecutorial powers were not 'unrestricted.' "Inconspicuous examples of excess(es) committed in activities, there may emerge the necessity for fixing accountability," the court stated, recognizing that the notice was issued in this case based on "wrong interpretation and comprehension of the law and not malice or ill will."

On April 7, a magistrate's court ordered the investigation agency to remove the LOC immediately and apologise to Patel, as well as produce a compliance report by April 30.

Patel had moved the magisterial court, claiming that he was stopped by immigration officials at Bangalore International Airport while attempting to catch a trip to the United States.

He said that the operation was carried out despite a Gujarat court decision providing him permission to travel overseas.

Patel said he lost 6 lakh owing to non-compliance with the April 7 order after being stopped for the second time and filed a contempt petition on April 8. The same day, the CBI contested the prior ruling allowing Patel to leave and requiring the agency to apologise.

Special judge Mann suspended the observation on the apology and ordered Aakar Patel not to leave the country without permission from the court.

The alert was issued in connection with alleged breaches of the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act, often known as the FCRA.

In 2019, a complaint was filed against Amnesty India in this regard.

On April 6 and 7, Patel was detained by immigration officials at Bengaluru International Airport while attempting to board a flight to the US.

(With PTI Inputs)