DK Shivakumar Granted Permission for International Travel by Bengaluru Court
In a recent development, the City Civil Court in Bengaluru has granted Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar permission to travel abroad over the next two years. This decision comes in response to Shivakumar’s request for travel consent, which aligns with a bail condition linked to an ongoing tax evasion case against him, titled Income Tax Department vs. DK Shivakumar & others.
Judicial Conditions for Travel
The ruling, delivered by Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate KN Shivakumar, permits DK Shivakumar to visit the United States, various European nations, the United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, and Arab countries. However, this approval is contingent upon Shivakumar’s prior notification to the investigating agency regarding his travel itinerary. Furthermore, he must remain available to appear before the court upon request.
In the court’s May 15 order, it was explicitly stated that the prosecution retains the right to seek revocation of this travel permission should Shivakumar breach any of the stipulated conditions. “In the event of any default on the part of this accused, the investigating agency or the prosecution is at liberty to make necessary application,” the order clarified.
Background of the Tax Evasion Case
This legal case involves allegations against DK Shivakumar and others, including Sachin Narayan, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Anjaneya Hanumanthaiah, and N Rajendra. They are charged under Sections 276C(1), 277, and 278 of the Income Tax Act, 1961, alongside Sections 193, 199, and 120B of the Indian Penal Code. The accusations stem from raids conducted in 2017 at locations associated with Shivakumar, where authorities reportedly confiscated ₹8.83 crore in cash. The charges also involve alleged destruction of evidence by Shivakumar during a search at Eagleton Golf Resort on the Bengaluru-Mysuru highway.
Shivakumar has consistently claimed that these investigations are politically motivated. The court’s decision to grant bail previously included a stipulation that he must not exit India without explicit court approval.
Justification for Travel Permission
Shivakumar’s application cited the need to travel for both business purposes and his responsibilities as a State Minister. The court acknowledged the legitimacy of these reasons, noting that his travels might be necessary for his personal business growth and for the advancement of projects under his ministerial portfolio. “It appears that this accused may be required to travel to different countries in connection with the development or improvement of his business in his personal capacity and in connection with development of different schemes and projects under his portfolio like minor irrigation and Bengaluru Development,” the order elaborated.
The court further referenced a precedent where another accused in the case was similarly allowed international travel for an extended period. Additionally, it was noted that Shivakumar had previously been permitted to travel abroad, including a trip to Dubai in early 2022.
Considering these factors, the court decided to grant DK Shivakumar the conditional authorization to travel internationally over the next two years, ensuring that his travels align with both his ministerial duties and personal business endeavors.
