Permission to travel abroad during a criminal trial may be granted when conduct is satisfactory and safeguards ensure return.

Temporary permission to travel abroad during a pending criminal trial may be granted under the court's inherent powers where the accused's prior conduct is satisfactory and return can be secured through conditions. The High Court considered earlier permissions, compliance with imposed conditions, and the absence of misuse, while noting the State's apprehension that the petitioner might not return. It held that adequate safeguards could address that risk and set aside the refusal order. The petitioner was permitted to travel abroad on furnishing a personal bond and an undertaking to return by the stipulated date, with liberty to the trial court to impose further conditions.

---

---

Issues: Whether the petitioner should be permitted to travel abroad during the pendency of the criminal trial and whether the order refusing such permission was liable to be set aside.

Analysis: The petition was moved under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 for grant of permission to go abroad despite the pendency of trial. The request was examined in light of the petitioner's earlier conduct, the fact that permission had previously been granted by the trial court and by the High Court on earlier occasions, and the absence of any material showing misuse of those concessions. The apprehension of the State that the petitioner might not return was considered, but the Court noted that the proceedings in connected litigation had been stayed and that the petitioner had returned on earlier occasions in compliance with imposed conditions. The Court also relied on earlier decisions permitting temporary travel abroad during criminal proceedings, subject to safeguards and conditions.

Conclusion: The petitioner was held entitled to travel abroad, the impugned order refusing permission was set aside, and the trial court was directed to permit travel on furnishing a personal bond and undertaking to return by the stipulated date, with liberty to impose further conditions.

Ratio Decidendi: Permission to travel abroad during pendency of a criminal trial may be granted under the Court's inherent powers where the accused's conduct is satisfactory and adequate safeguards can be imposed to secure return and protect the trial.

---