IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Criminal Misc. No. M-17416 of 2011 (O&M) Date of Decision : 21.9.2011. Rakesh Chopra ...... Petitioner Versus State of Punjab ...... Respondent CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAWAB SINGH Present: Mr. Rajiv Atma Ram, Sr. Advocate with Mr. A.P. Atma Ram, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. J.S. Bhullar, AAG, Punjab. NAWAB SINGH J.(ORAL) Challenge is to the order dated May 23rd, 2011 (Annexure P-10) passed by Special Judge, Patiala whereby application of the petitioner seeking release of his passport and permission to go abroad till presentation of the charge-sheet, was declined. 2. The petitioner is an accused in case bearing First Information Report No. 28 dated June 20th, 2008 under Sections 7, 8, 9, 13(1)(d),(e), 14 read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 read with Section 120-B of Indian Penal Code, Police Station Vigilance Bureau, District Patiala. He is a Canadian citizen. By order dated February 16th, 2010 (Annexure P-11), Special Judge exempted the petitioner's personal appearance till presentation of the charge-sheet. The charge-sheet has not been filed till date. 3. By order dated November 11th, 2009 (Annexure P- 6) K.C. Puri. J. granted permission to the petitioner to go abroad from November 15th, 2009 to January 24th, 2010. Thereafter, Special Judge vide order dated April 16th, 2010, May 4th, 2010 and December 6th, 2010 (Annexure P-7) granted him permission to go abroad. 4. During the hearing, Learned Counsel for the petitioner confines his submission to the contention that the trial Court be directed to decide the application of the petitioner seeking Criminal Misc. No. M-17416 of 2011 (2) permission to visit abroad within 7 seven day of its filing because the petitioner has to go abroad off and on in connection with his business. 5. Submission being convincing, this petition is disposed of with a direction to the trial Judge to dispose of the application of the petitioner seeking permission to go abroad within seven days as and when it is filed, in accordance with law. 6. Disposed of. (NAWAB SINGH) JUDGE 21.9.2011. SN