HC restrains Indrani Mukerjea from travelling abroad till Aug 27, suggests ‘complete bank work from India’

On Monday, advocate Shreeram Shirsat, representing the CBI, argued that tasks Mukerjea intended to complete abroad, such as payment of property tax and municipal fees, could be handled online or through postal services, eliminating the need for her to travel.

Advocate Ranjeet Sangle, representing Mukerjea, countered that she needed to access her bank accounts in Spain. Sangle also noted that while the Supreme Court’s bail order required Mukerjea to seek trial court permission to travel abroad, the special court had already granted this, and the CBI should not override this decision.

Shirsat responded that if Mukerjea obtained a visa for another country, the central agency would not have control over her travel plans. He also mentioned that Mukerjea’s property in Spain had been in disrepair for nine years and required repair work. Sangle argued that Mukerjea’s Power of Attorney (POA), granted while she was in prison and later revoked due to divorce, did not empower others to handle her affairs in her absence.

Justice Chandak observed that Mukerjea had introduced new tasks beyond those initially listed in her application to the trial court. The judge warned Mukerjea that adding tasks such as repairs might appear disingenuous and negatively impact her case.

The judge instructed Mukerjea and the CBI to prepare detailed lists distinguishing tasks that could be completed without traveling abroad from those requiring her physical presence. “This will determine the outcome of the case. Focus on tasks that can be done outside of the UK and Spain (in India). If you mix them, it will reflect poorly,” Justice Chandak said, scheduling the next hearing for August 27.