Land Scam Case: PMLA Court Allows Businessman Vishnu Agarwal to Travel to Dubai

Jharkhand businessman Vishnu Agarwal, an accused in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam, has been granted permission by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi to travel to Dubai for business purposes.

Agarwal had approached the PMLA court seeking permission to travel abroad. The plea was heard by the court, which had reserved its order after completing the hearing. The court has now allowed him to travel to Dubai.

The permission comes in view of a condition attached to his bail. Agarwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2023 in connection with the alleged money laundering case arising from a land scam. He was subsequently granted conditional bail by the Jharkhand High Court.

As part of the bail conditions, Agarwal was required to obtain permission from the trial court, which is the special PMLA court, before travelling outside India. His latest application was filed in compliance with that condition.

Case Linked to Cheshire Home Road Land

The case is related to a valuable parcel of land located on Cheshire Home Road under the Bargain circle of Ranchi. According to the investigating agency, the property is recorded under Khata No. 37 and covers around one acre.

The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that illegal transactions connected with the purchase and sale of the land formed part of a wider money laundering investigation.

With the court's approval, Agarwal can now travel to Dubai for his stated business commitments. However, the permission to travel abroad does not bring an end to the proceedings against him, and the money laundering case remains pending before the court.

The court's decision also highlights that the foreign travel restriction imposed as part of his bail conditions continues to operate, with any overseas travel requiring prior judicial approval.