Mumbai: A special court has allowed minister Chhagan Bhujbal and his son Pankaj to extend the foreign travel dates as their earlier plan was hit after their passports were damaged in the fire at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office.
The father-son duo, who are on bail in a money laundering case, had planned to have an overseas family trip tentatively between May 24 and June 6. Hence, in the April end, the duo approached the court, seeking the return of their passports from the ED's custody.
However, the order to return the passport came two days after the blaze, which left the travel documents wet and torn. Hence, the Bhujbals had, earlier this week, again approached the court for the extension of travel dates, claiming that much time was lost in obtaining new passports.
Considering the pleas, the court extended the period of travel till June 12. “The accused were already permitted to travel abroad. Their passports were damaged in the ED office blaze. This fact has been considered by the prosecution too,” said the court.
