Magam Vinay Vardhan v. The Commissioner of Police

O R D E R This Criminal Original Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondent to cancel the Lookout Notice issued against the petitioner (Passport No.T9699380) in Crime No.16 of 2025.

¶2The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has been arrayed as 2nd Accused in Crime No.16 of 2025 registered by the respondent police for the offence under Section 420 read with 34 of IPC. The petitioner has been implicated based on the confession statement of A1. He further submitted that the petitioner is engaged in his own business in Portugal and is holding a residence permit to stay there. While so, when the petitioner returned to India on 30.07.2025 to attend the final rites of his mother, he was arrested at the airport and remanded to judicial custody.

¶3The learned Senior Counsel further submitted that the petitioner was later released on bail and in lieu of the bail conditions, he has deposited a sum of Rs.1,00,00,000/- (Rupees One Crore only) before the learned Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, CCB Court, Egmore, Chennai. He further submitted that a substantial portion of the investigation has already been completed and that the petitioner has also fully cooperated in the investigation. He also submitted that at the time of granting bail, the petitioner's uncle and aunt stood as sureties. He further submitted that since the Lookout Notice is still in force, the petitioner is unable to travel Portugal for his business purpose and extend his residence permit, which is causing grave hardship to him. Hence, he seeks cancellation of the Lookout Notice.

¶4The learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents filed a status report and submitted that the petitioner, along with A1, under the guise of providing employment abroad, cheated the general public to the tune of Rs.2,21,00,000/-. He further submitted that the money trail shows that a substantial amount was routed through the petitioner's bank account. He also submitted that the petitioner was arrested based on the Lookout Notice when he returned to India on 30.07.2025. However, in lieu of bail conditions, the petitioner deposited a sum of Rs.1,00,00,000/-. Hence, he opposed the prayer seeking recall of the Lookout Notice.

¶5Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.

¶6The petitioner is arrayed as A2 and was arrested while returning to India. The petitioner now pleads that he intends to travel to Portugal for the purpose of renewing his residence permit. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner further submitted that a period of 60 days would be sufficient for the said purpose and that the petitioner's uncle and aunt, who have stood as sureties, would continue to do so. He also submitted that the petitioner has given an undertaking to return to India within a period of 60 days.

¶7Taking into consideration the fact that the petitioner has deposited a sum of Rs.1,00,00,000/- and that his uncle and aunt have stood as sureties and would also continue to stand as, this Court is of the view that the Lookout Notice can be kept in abeyance to enable the petitioner to travel to Portugal and renew his residence permit. Accordingly, the Lookout Notice shall be kept in abeyance for a period of 90 days. In the event of the petitioner failing to comply with the undertaking given to this Court, the Lookout Notice shall stand revived automatically.

¶8With the above observations, this Criminal Original Petition is disposed of. Consequently, the connected Criminal Original Petition is closed.

30.01.2026 Note: Issue Today rpl To

1.The Commissioner of Police Office of the Commissionerate, Vepery, Chennai 600 007

2.The Inspector of Police Central Crime Branch-1, Job Rocketing Investigation Wing, Vepery, Chennai 600 007

3.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai. A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA

, J.

rpl and Crl.M.P.No.24787 of 2025

30.01.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 30.01.2026 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and Crl.M.P.No.24787 of 2025 Magam Vinay Vardhan ...Petitioner Vs. 1.The Commissioner of Police Office of the Commissionerate, Vepery, Chennai 600 007 2.The State Rep.by The Inspector of Police Central Crime Branch-1, Job Rocketing Investigation Wing, Vepery, Chennai 600 007 ...Respondents Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 528 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita/Section 482 Cr.P.C., to issue a direction to the respondents to cancel the Lookout Notice issued against the Petitioner / 2nd Accused Passport No.T9699380 in Crime No.16 of 2025. For Petitioner : Mr.R.John Sathiyan, Senior Counsel for Mr.R.Jayaprakash For Respondents : Mr.S.Santhosh Government Advocate (Crl.Side)