1 APHC010192692025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI (Special Original Jurisdiction) [3332] WEDNESDAY, THE 5th DAY OF AUGUST 2026 PRESENT THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI WRIT PETITION NO: 11720/2025 Between: Rajiv Rameshchandra Mehta ...PETITIONER AND Directorate Of Enforcement Through Assistant Director and Others ...RESPONDENT(S) Counsel for the Petitioner: 1. CHALLA HRUDAY RAJ Counsel for the Respondent(S): 1. JOSYULA BHASKARA RAO ( SC FOR E D ) The Court made the following order: Questioning the issuance of Look Out Circular (LOC) by the 2nd respondent against the petitioner, the present writ petition is filed. 2. Heard Sri M.Srikanth, learned counsel representing learned counsel for the petitioner and Sri Josyula Bhaskara Rao, learned Standing counsel for ED. 3. Learned counsel for the petitioner in elaboration to what has been stated in the affidavit contended that, though the petitioner is not accused in 2 any of the predicated offences, he was summoned for recording the statements in ECIR No.ECIR/VKSZO/03/2017, however, he appeared and given his statement. He further submitted that, despite his appearance before the respondent authorities, they have not lifted the LOC which amounts to infringement of petitioner’s right to travel. He further submitted that, a representation was made through e-mail to the respondent authorities with a request to withdraw the LOC issued against the petitioner but the respondents have not acted upon. It would suffice if a direction is given to the authorities to pass orders on the said representation. 4. To the said submission, learned standing counsel submitted that, the petitioner is involved in money laundering case and accused in ECIR No.ECIR/VKSZO/03/2017. He further submitted that, the email representation which was referred by the petitioner, was only to attend a marriage and the authorities have suspended the Look Out Circular (LOC) for that limited purpose. Now there is no justification to asking to lift the entire LOC. He further submitted that, without making a representation seeking withdrawal of LOC, the petitioner cannot seek such relief before this court. He further submitted that, if the petitioner makes a fresh representation, the authorities will pass appropriate orders in accordance with law. 5. Perused the record and considered the submissions made by both the learned counsel. 3 6. The main grievance of the petitioner is that though the petitioner is not accused in any predicated offences, he was called for investigation in ECIR No.ECIR/VKSZO/03/2017 as witness and despite of his appearance, the respondent are not lifting the LOC. Whereas the respondents are contending that the petitioner is an accused. However, this court is not inclined to go into that aspect. Admittedly, charge sheet was already filed and the authorities have not lifted/withdrawn the LOC issued against the petitioner. However, the contention of the petitioner is that, he has made a through email duly requesting to withdraw the LOC, whereas the respondents contention is that, the said representation sent through email was only made for withdrawing LOC for the purpose of attending the marriage for a particular period and the same has been acted upon. However, the respondents have an intention to consider representation, if any made by the petitioner requesting to withdraw the LOC issued against him, in accordance with law. As such, in order to meet the ends of justice, this court is inclined to dispose of the writ petition with the following direction: The petitioner is at liberty to make a fresh representation to the 2nd respondent requesting to withdraw the LOC issued against him within one(01) week from the date of receipt of copy of this order. Upon such representation, the respondent authorities are directed to consider and pass appropriate orders in accordance with law within four(04) weeks thereafter and communicate the same to the petitioner. 4 Accordingly, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Miscellaneous applications, pending if any, shall stand closed. ________________________ JUSTICE RAVI CHEEMALAPATI 05.08.2026 BRS