The Delhi High Court quashed lookout circulars against two Authum officials. The ruling safeguards overseas travel while ensuring their continued cooperation with investigators.
Newdelhi,Oct 18, 2026 19:22 IST
The Delhi High Court has quashed lookout circulars issued against two senior officials of a private firm in connection with a money laundering investigation allegedly involving Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL) and Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL), news agency Press Trust of India reported.
Amit Dangi and Sanjay Dangi were associated with Authum Investment and Infrastructure Limited, which has acquired RCFL. Justice Madhu Jain said the continued enforcement of the lookout circulars against them was not warranted.
In its October 16 order, the court said: “This court is of the view that the petitioners' availability can be secured through the directions issued hereafter and the continuation of the LOC against them is, therefore, not warranted. This court, therefore, finds that both petitions deserve to be allowed, subject to the directions.”
The court said that, in both cases, the pendency of further investigation could not, without adequate justification, sustain a continuing restriction on the fundamental right to travel abroad.
It directed the petitioners to cooperate with the investigation, respond to summons and produce relevant documents. They were also asked to inform the investigating officer before any foreign travel and provide their itinerary, destinations and contact numbers abroad.
The court directed the Enforcement Directorate to communicate the judgment to the Bureau of Immigration, which must quash the lookout circulars and update its records accordingly.
According to Press Trust of India, the petitions arose from investigations into alleged financial irregularities at RCFL and RHFL between 2017 and 2019 under their former management. The Central Bureau of Investigation registered two first information reports on September 19, 2022, alleging criminal conspiracy and cheating. Neither petitioner was named as an accused in the cases.
The Enforcement Directorate registered a money laundering case on July 22, 2025, based on the alleged offences in the CBI cases. Searches were conducted at premises linked to Authum and the petitioners. They were summoned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and their statements were recorded on several dates.
The CBI filed its charge sheet in a Mumbai court, while the Enforcement Directorate filed its prosecution complaint before the special PMLA court at Rouse Avenue in Delhi.
The High Court has, therefore, set aside the lookout circulars while requiring the two petitioners to remain available for the investigation, comply with summons and disclose details of any foreign travel.
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