Supreme Court Dismisses Union’s Challenge to High Court Order Quashing LOC Against Sushant Singh Rajput’s Former House Help, Samuel Miranda
Today, the Supreme Court rejected the Union of India’s challenge against a Bombay High Court order that canceled a Look-Out Circular (LOC) issued for Samuel Miranda, the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s former house help.
The decision came from a bench of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, who noted that no one appeared on behalf of the Union, despite the matter being called twice. The judges also upheld the High Court’s reasoning, finding no grounds to interfere with its decision.
Background of the Case
In 2020, after Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his home, an investigation began. His father lodged a complaint against Miranda and others, leading to an FIR in Patna. The case was later handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which issued an LOC against Miranda to restrict his travel.
Apart from this, Miranda was also named in a Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) case. He was arrested but later released on bail.
In 2024, Miranda approached the Bombay High Court to quash the LOC, arguing that no charge sheet had been filed even after 3.5 years and that the LOC violated his fundamental right to travel under Article 21.
High Court’s Decision
After reviewing the case, the High Court agreed to cancel the LOC against Miranda. The court noted that no specific reasons had been provided for issuing or maintaining the LOC beyond the initial FIR. Additionally, the CBI had not submitted any new request to extend the LOC after its initial one-year period expired. The court also acknowledged that Miranda had cooperated with the investigation.
The High Court stated:
“Nothing was brought to our notice in the LOC, reflecting the ‘reason’ for issuing of LOC, except registration of an FIR and setting out the gist of the FIR. Nor has anything been brought on record for continuance of the LOC… Admittedly, till date no report has been filed by the CBI… We have already allowed the Petition of the co-accused in the same case and have quashed the LOC issued as against him.”
Refrence by livelow.in
Author:ntndevelopers home
