Court allows Rice exporter to go abroad

New Delhi, June 18 (UNI) Delhi High Court today allowed rice exporter Anil Kumar Mittal, accused of violating the export norms, to visit Dubai on a business trip.

A vacation bench comprising Justice Pradeep Nandjarog allowed Managing Director and Chairman of KRBC Company Anil Kumar Mittal, exporting India Gate Basmati Rice, to go to Dubai business.

The court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to release Mittal's passport after he furnishes a personal bond of Rs two lakh and two sureties of similar amount.

The court directed Mittal to submit his itinerary of his travel plans to the CBI a week prior to his departure and asked him to return his passport to CBI within a week after his return.

The court restricted Mittal from visiting Cooks Island near New Zealand as the letter of credit, which is the basis of the case, has been issued by a bank 'Global Trading' based there.

Mittal alleged floated a Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) directive banning the exports of pulses in 2006.

CBI is investigating the letter of credit allegedly issued on a back date by the Global Bank situated at Cooks Island near New Zealand. It was alleged that the Government imposed the ban on the exports of pulses on June 27,2006 and Mittal procured the letter of credit from the bank at Cooks Island on June 21, 2006.

Mittal's lawyer Bishwajit Bhattacharyya contended that CBI has procured all the papers relating to the case and there was no reason he should not be allowed to go abroad. He contended that Mittal has to go to Dubai on abusiness transaction as Dubai is the hub of rice market where buyers from all over the world come.

He assured the court that Mittal's visit will in no way hamper the investigation into the case as he will not try to influence any person related to the case.

UNI