B.Edison Jebaraj v. James Vinod

ORDER The revision challenges the dismissal of the petitioners' application seeking return of their passports, which were deposited by them when their warrants were recalled by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate for Exclusive trial of CCB Cases (Relating to cheating cases in Chennai) and CBCID Metro Cases, Egmore, Chennai.

¶2The petitioners are accused in a complaint filed by the respondent for the offences under Sections 420 and 406 IPC. It appears that the petitioners had not appeared before the learned Magistrate and therefore, the learned Magistrate issued warrants to secure their presence. The petitioners were thereafter released on the condition that they shall execute two sureties and also surrender their passports. They accordingly surrendered their passports and the same are still in the custody of the learned Magistrate.

¶3The petitioners sought return of the said passports stating that they intend to travel abroad. The learned Magistrate dismissed the said petition on the ground that this Court had stayed the trial proceedings in Crl.M.P.No.8856 of 2025 in Crl.O.P.No.1330 of 2025.

¶4The notice sent to the respondent was returned with the endorsement "left without instructions".

¶5Admittedly, the trial proceedings against the petitioners have been stayed by this Court in Crl.M.P.No.8856 of 2025 in Crl.O.P.No.1330 of 2025 by order dated 29.04.2025. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the learned Magistrate may be directed to return the passports of the petitioners for a limited period on certain conditions.

¶6Accordingly, this Court is inclined to pass the following orders:

(i) The learned Magistrate shall return the passports of the petitioners on their executing a bond for a sum of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees Twenty Thousand only) with two sureties each for a like sum to the satisfaction of the learned Metropolitan Magistrate for Exclusive Trial of CCB Cases (Relating to Cheating Cases in Chennai) and CBCID Metro Cases, Egmore, Chennai.

(ii) The petitioners shall file an affidavit before the learned Magistrate disclosing the date of departure and arrival, the place of stay and their contact number at the place abroad.

(iii) The petitioners shall surrender their passports within one week of their return to India. SUNDER MOHAN J.

¶7With the above observations and directions, this Criminal Revision Case stands disposed of. 23-02-2026 cda To The Metropolitan Magistrate for Exclusive trial of CCB Cases (Relating to cheating cases in Chennai) and CBCID Metro Cases, Egmore, Chennai.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 23-02-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE SUNDER MOHAN 1. B.Edison Jebaraj, S/o Baskar Thangaraj, No.5/15, Mangalapuram, 3rd Street, West Tambaram, Kancheepuram, Chennai. 2. Livingstone, S/o Edwin, Residing No.51A, Ganapathikoil Street, Kamaraj Street, Kamaraj Nagar, Thiruvalur, Chennai. Petitioner(s) Vs James Vinod, S/o Paul Mohan, Flat No.F3, Plot No.15, Aarna Green Field Apartment, Aalaiamman Nagar, Kuberan Nagar 15th Extension, Madipakkam, Chennai. Respondent(s) PRAYER Criminal Revision Case filed under Section 438 r/w 442 of BNSS, praying to call for the records in Cr.M.P.No.25 of 2026 dated 05.01.2026 on the file of the learned Metropolitan Magistrate for Exclusive trial of CCB Cases (Relating to cheating cases in Chennai) and CBCID Metro Cases, Egmore, Chennai, and set aside the same and grant interim custody of A-1 passport bearing no.T 359817 and A-4 Passport No.U2091186 the pass such or other orders. For Petitioner(s): Mr.K.Udayakumar