Bal Krishan Batra Granted Europe Travel Permission

Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 26.10.2026

Case Overview

• Petitioner: Bal Krishan Batra, former Deputy Managing Director, IDBI Bank Ltd, residing at E‑305, Raheja Residency, Dindoshi, Malad East, Mumbai‑400097.
• Respondent: Inspector of Police, Central Bureau of Investigation, Banking Security and Fraud Cell, Bangalore.
• Petition: Filed under Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (CRL OP No. 30422 of 2026), seeking permission to travel abroad to Europe (France and Switzerland) from 13‑Nov‑2026 to 01‑Dec‑2026 and to have any LOC against him suspended.
• Criminal Background: Petitioner is the 16th accused in C.C.No. 554 of 2023 before the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai.
• Purpose of Travel: Attend the graduation ceremony of his elder daughter at INSEAD Europe Campus, France.
• Procedural Context: The trial court proceedings are in abeyance per Supreme Court order in S.L.P. (Crl.) Nos. 2429‑2341 of 2024 dated 29‑Apr‑2026. The Special Public Prosecutor, Mr. K. Srinivasan, filed a counter‑statement.

Observations & Reasoning

• The petitioner initially omitted the destination countries; the court noted that France and Switzerland are expressly mentioned in paragraph 9 of the petition.
• An undertaking affidavit confirming return to India on or before 01‑Dec‑2026 was filed.
• Detailed accommodation information for Europe was submitted and served on the Special Public Prosecutor.
• Considering the Supreme Court‑mandated abeyance and the petitioner’s undertaking, the court is inclined to grant permission.

Conditions Imposed

1. Legal Representation: The petitioner must ensure his counsel represents him during his absence by executing a special vakalat.

2. Inquiry Attendance: He must attend any inquiry called by the respondent and return to India if absolutely required.

3. Post‑Return Inquiry: After returning (on or before 01‑Dec‑2026), he must attend any further inquiry as directed.

4. Non‑Fleeing: He shall not flee from the investigation or the process of law.

5. Address Disclosure: He must email the respondent the addresses of his European accommodations upon booking.

6. Contact Details: Mobile No. 8879792858 and email batra.bk@gmail.com must be retained throughout the trip.

7. Financial Security: He shall deposit the original Fixed Deposit Receipt No. 10253447047 dated 04‑Nov‑2025 for Rs 25,00,000 (Twenty‑Five Lakhs) on 07‑Dec‑2026 for compliance recording.

8. LOC Suspension: The investigating agency shall inform the Department of Immigration to suspend the LOC issued against the petitioner from midnight 12‑Nov‑2026 to midnight 02‑Dec‑2026.

9. Citizenship Restriction: The petitioner shall not pursue citizenship or residence in any other country.

10. Compliance Affidavit: Upon return, he must file a compliance affidavit with proof of return; thereafter the court will pass orders on the original Fixed Deposit Receipt.

11. Deposit Details: Senior citizen payout to be maintained with IDFC First Bank, Borivali Branch, with the Registrar General of the Court.

Final Outcome

• The Madras High Court grants the petitioner permission to travel to France and Switzerland between 13‑Nov‑2026 and 01‑Dec‑2026, subject to the above conditions.
• The LOC against the petitioner is suspended for the specified period.
• The petitioner must comply with all stipulated conditions, including financial security and post‑travel affidavits.

Topics: Travel Permission, Criminal Proceedings, Banking