Rhea’s brother Showik Chakraborty seeks withdrawal of Look Out notice

When he was granted bail in the drugs case, he was directed to deposit his passport to the NCB and also told not to leave the country without prior permission from the court.  In his plea before the special court, Showik said that he intended to travel, for which he had undertaken to submit the itinerary to the NCB officers and also surrender his passport on his return. The court relied on a Supreme Court order which says that fundametal right under Article 21 also includes within its ambit the right to travel.

While permitting Showik to travel abroad for a work conference, the special court said the NCB retained his passport without conforming with the provisions of law and that the passport cannot be impounded except by the passport authority as per the Passport Authorities Act.

“In the present matter, it appears that respondent (NCB) has not followed procedure according to the law for retention of the passport,” the court said. It also said that there appears no substance in NCB’s contention that Showik may flee or abscond if permitted to travel abroad.

The court directed Showik to travel with conditions, including that he submits his address and itinerary during his stay in Australia and surrenders his passport on his return.

After being granted permission to travel abroad, Showik also filed a plea before the Bombay High Court for withdrawal of the Look Out Circular.

In 2022, a special court permitted his sister Rhea to travel abroad for an awards ceremony but was informed by the CBI that an LOC was pending against her and hence, she could not travel.

A Look Out notice is issued to ensure that an individual wanted or absconding in a case is not able to leave the country.