The Bombay High Court on Wednesday permitted industrialist Yashovardhan Birla to travel overseas from May 18 to July 15, 2025, despite a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO). The LOC will remain suspended during this period.
Birla sought interim relief to travel to the UAE, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and other countries. His application noted that he had earlier been allowed to travel abroad on three occasions, subject to conditions laid down by the court. The court observed that Birla had fully complied with those conditions.
Special Public Prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar, appearing for the SFIO, confirmed on instructions that Birla had adhered to the terms during previous trips and said the agency had no objection to his travel if the same conditions were imposed.
A bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Neela Gokhale allowed the application, directing Birla to provide his complete travel itinerary, addresses of stay, and contact details to the SFIO before departure. He must also inform the SFIO of his return within 48 hours of arrival in India.
The SFIO is directed to inform immigration authorities of the court’s order within 48 hours of its upload. Importantly, the court directed immigration officials to permit Birla to travel, regardless of whether the system had been updated.
The court also clarified that Birla cannot seek any extension of the relief until he returns to the country.
Birla is currently facing investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act. The SFIO has also launched a probe under the Companies Act into multiple firms owned by him.
