Gujarat High Court
Rachana Yogendra Parikh vs Union Of India on 6 May, 2026
NEUTRAL CITATION
C/SCA/21324/2023 IA ORDER DATED: 06/05/2026
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
CIVIL APPLICATION (FOR DIRECTION) NO. 1 of 2026
In R/SPECIAL CIVIL APPLICATION NO. 21324 of 2023
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RACHANA YOGENDRA PARIKH Versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS.
================================================================ Appearance:
MS AMRITA M THAKORE(3208) for the PETITIONER(s) No. 1 MR ANIP A GANDHI(2268) for the RESPONDENT(s) No. 3 ================================================================ CORAM:HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HEMANT M. PRACHCHHAK Date : 06/05/2026 IA ORDER
1. Ms. Amrita Thakore, learned Advocate appearing for the applicant submitted that the challenge in the captioned writ petition is to the lookout circular issued against the petitioner and thereby prohibiting the petitioner from traveling outside India. It is submitted that the applicant and her husband had last visited USA and met their children during the period from 03.08.2024 to 02.10.2024 with the permission of this Court vide order dated 01.07.2024 as well as with the permission granted by the Sessions Judge and Special Designated Judge, PMLA, Ahmedabad (Rural) in PMLA Case No.6 of 2014 vide order dated 18.07.2024. It is submitted that the circumstances in which the applicant had last visited USA were not happy since the applicant had at that time travelled specifically for the purpose of taking care of her daughter-in-law who had been diagnosed with Stage III Thyroid Cancer and pursuant to the same, the applicant could not met her children or their respective families. It is submitted that since the applicant and her husband are both senior citizens who may or may not be able to travel in future due to age and health Page 1 of 4 Uploaded by DOLLY CHETAN VADUKAR(HC01392) on Thu May 07 2026 Downloaded on : Thu May 07 21:47:38 IST 2026 NEUTRAL CITATION C/SCA/21324/2023 IA ORDER DATED: 06/05/2026 undefined issues, the applicant and her husband intend to visit the United States of America for the period from 13.06.2026 to 08.09.2026 (both inclusive) in order to spend some time with her children and their respective families and to celebrate the birthdays of her daughter and grand-daughter, which are on 23.06.2026 and 24.06.2026 respectively. It is submitted that the applicant undertakes to file the itinerary of her travel and copies of her return air tickets by way of a separate affidavit before the Registry. It is also urged that the applicant has already deposited Rs.1,00,000/- as directed by the learned Sessions Judge & Special Designated Judge, PMLA, Ahmedabad (Rural) and shall deposit Rs.1,00,000/- before the Registry of this Court and is also ready and agreeable to adhere to the terms and conditions that may be imposed by this Court.
2. It is submitted that recently, the issue of issuance of the lookout circular had fallen for consideration before the Bombay High Court and the Hon'ble Court has quashed and set aside all the lookout circulars issued by the authorities in exercise of powers conferred in the office memorandum in question.
3. Mr.Raju Kothari, learned Advocate appearing for the respondent no. 3 submitted that if the applicant is allowed to travel, let there be conditions attached, ensuring the return of the applicant, as the proceedings are pending against her before the Debt Recovery Tribunal, etc. It is urged that the Court may pass appropriate order.
4. Heard the learned Advocates appearing for the respective parties.
5. The applicant has prayed for permission to travel to United States of America during the period from 13.06.2026 to 08.09.2026. It Page 2 of 4 Uploaded by DOLLY CHETAN VADUKAR(HC01392) on Thu May 07 2026 Downloaded on : Thu May 07 21:47:38 IST 2026 NEUTRAL CITATION C/SCA/21324/2023 IA ORDER DATED: 06/05/2026 undefined is the case of the applicant that the applicant had last visited USA as the applicant's daughter-in-law was diagnosed with Stage III Thyroid Cancer and was requited to undergo Total Thyroidectomy i.e. surgical removal of the thyroid gland and pursuant to the same, the applicant could spend time with her children or their respective families and therefore, the applicant and her husband intend to visit the United States of America in order to spend some time with her children and their respective families and to celebrate the birthdays of her daughter and grand-daughter. The applicant, undertakes to abide by the conditions that may be proposed by this Court.
6. Accepting the request, this Court is inclined to allow the application of the applicant permitting her to travel to United States of America for the period from 13.06.2026 to 08.09.2026 (both inclusive). The lookout circular, which is duly produced by the Opponent No.3 Bank, shall not come in the way of the applicant from travelling abroad, as per the itinerary provided on fulfilling the conditions as indicated hereinbelow:
(a) Exact itinerary, including contact details of places of stay is directed to be furnished by way of an undertaking before departure, to the Registry of this Court.
(b) The applicant shall abide by the said undertaking and shall return in accordance with the itinerary provided by the applicant failing which, it will be open for this Court to pass appropriate orders in accordance with law.
(c) The applicant shall provide Demand Draft of Rs.1,00,000/-which is to be submitted with the Registrar, High Court of Gujarat.Page 3 of 4 Uploaded by DOLLY CHETAN VADUKAR(HC01392) on Thu May 07 2026 Downloaded on : Thu May 07 21:47:38 IST 2026
NEUTRAL CITATION C/SCA/21324/2023 IA ORDER DATED: 06/05/2026 undefined
(d) The applicant shall not seek any further extension to continue stay, except for the itinerary that would be placed before the Registry.
(e) The applicant shall not open or close any bank account overseas and shall not enter into any kind of property transactions abroad.
(f) The applicant shall not seek any adjournment in any proceedings before any authority and/ or Court on the ground that the applicant is traveling abroad.
7. Once the undertaking is filed with the Registry, as stated hereinabove:
(i) The Immigration Authorities at all ports of departure including airports are directed to permit the applicant to clear immigration and board the flights;
(ii) The Respondent No.3 Bank shall inform the Bureau of Immigration-
respondent no.5, so that the necessary instructions can be issued;
(iii) The Bureau of Immigration will update its systems to permit the free passage of the applicant in accordance with this order; (iv) All concerned including all Immigration Authorities at all Airports will act on an authenticated copy of this order.
8. Civil Application is allowed accordingly.
9. Direct service is permitted.
(HEMANT M. PRACHCHHAK,J) Dolly Page 4 of 4 Uploaded by DOLLY CHETAN VADUKAR(HC01392) on Thu May 07 2026 Downloaded on : Thu May 07 21:47:38 IST 2026