CRM-M-45483-2025 1 119 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-45483-2025 Date of decision : 22.08.2025 Vivek Mehta and others .....Petitioners versus State of Punjab .....Respondent CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH BHARDWAJ Present :- Mr. Udit Jain, Advocate for the petitioner. RAJESH BHARDWAJ, J. (Oral) 1. Present petition has been filed seeking release of passports which were surrendered before the Ld. Jurisdictional Magistrate, as per the directions and bail conditions by this Court vide order dated 16.09.2024 in FIR No.14, dated 15.05.2024, under sections 420, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC, 1860 and Sections 66(C), 66(D) of Information Technology Act, 2000, registered at Police Station Cyber Crimes, Mohali. 2. It has been submitted by learned counsel for the petitioners that the petitioners were directed to surrender their passports during the investigation, which they duly deposited with the Investigating Agencies. He has submitted that the investigation is now complete and the petitioners want to visit abroad. He has thus submitted that the passports surrendered by the petitioners before the Investigating Agencies be released to them. He has submitted that this Court vide order dated 15.07.2025 (Annexure P-4), ordered the trial Court to release the passport of the co-accused of the petitioners, namely, Keshav Aggarwal, and thus, prays for the same relief. POOJA SHARMA 2025.08.22 17:34 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-45483-2025 2 3. Notice of motion. 4. On asking of the Court, Mr. J.S. Arora, D.A.G., Punjab appears and accepts notice on behalf of the respondent-State. He has though submitted that the investigation is complete, however he has apprehended that the petitioners can flee from the Country and only challan is presented so far. 5. On hearing learned counsel for the parties and perusing the record, this Court finds that the petitioners were directed to surrender their passport at the time of granting bail to them. Needless to say that if the petitioners want to leave the Country, the same is subject to the prior permission of this Court. 6. In view of the above, trial Court is requested to release the passports of the petitioners subject to the condition that for leaving the Country, prior permission of this Court would be applicable. 7. Present petition stands disposed of. ( RAJESH BHARDWAJ ) 22.08.2025 JUDGE ps-I Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No POOJA SHARMA 2025.08.22 17:34 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document