The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed journalist Rana Ayyub to travel abroad after the Enforcement Directorate had prevented her from leaving the country through a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued in relation to an alleged money laundering case.
Rana Ayyub, a senior journalist, allegedly set aside Rs 50 lacs from Rs. 2.77 crores she had raised for relief work to open a fixed deposit in her own name. It is alleged that Ayyub collected a huge amount of funds through online crowd funding platform Ketto in the name of relief work but allegedly diverted the funds.
After hearing the parties, Justice Chandra Dhari Singh allowed the writ petition filed by Ayyub, and said that reasons for the same would soon follow.
At the start of the hearing, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, submitted the status report sought by the court at the last hearing.
Advocate Vrinda Grover, appearing for Ayyub, submitted that her client has been in constant touch with the ED and has always been willing to be present for questioning. She also denied the argument by the ED that Ayyub was not willing to join the investigation.
She further said that there is nothing to show that Ayyub was evading or avoiding the ED. The LOC was issued on March 28 because the journalist had announced her programme on social media, Grover said.
She went on to imply that her client was being punished for asking tough questions.
"The entire operation is malafide. The press is the fourth pillar of democracy. I am someone who speaks truth to power. I ask tough questions."
On the Court's asking, Grover revealed that Ayyub planned to return on April 12.
ASG Raju, on the other hand, apprehended that Ayyub would leave the country and never return.
Repressing the apprehension that Ayyub would not return to India if allowed to travel abroad, Grover said,
"I live in Mumbai in a joint family. I have been living in India always. This flight risk can be said for anything and anyone. Can I run away with money that is frozen? I am cooperating...Can my fundamental right be denied just because there is an inquiry against me?"
ASG Raju stated "Let us sit tomorrow and if you are able to give the entries, we will allow her to go. Why is she not willing to come? She can come today."
Ayyub was stopped at the Mumbai airport on March 29, following the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC) against her.
This, after the ED attached her assets worth 1.77 crore in connection alleged irregularities in the collection of charitable funds for COVID-19 relief work. The agency said that it had issued summons to her earlier as well, but she did not respond. It did not want her to leave the country, as the probe and the filing of the chargesheet in the case would be delayed, ED had argued.
On the last date of hearing, ASG Raju contended that Ayyub was involved in a very serious offence and has misappropriated funds collected in the name of relief work.
"She is involved in a serious offence. she has misappropriated funds. Money was received not only in Indian currency but in dollars. As far as she is concerned, we have found that fake bills have been submitted by her. We have found that the money for relief work has been siphoned off," the ASG said.
