Court orders CBI and Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with US authorities following respondent's virtual appearances from California and passport expiry
In a significant order dated September 18, 2026, the Delhi High Court (Division Bench comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja) has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to seek issuance of a Red Corner Notice (RCN) through INTERPOL against Adeeshwar Singhal, the respondent in the contempt proceedings initiated on the Court's own motion.
The case arose after the respondent failed to appear in person despite repeated court orders and instead appeared virtually from an IP address traced to Gilroy, California, USA. The respondent's Indian passport expired on August 24, 2025, and a Look Out Circular had already been issued. However, the Court observed that these measures were insufficient to secure the respondent's presence.
The Court, taking note of submissions made by the Central Government's counsel, noted that the respondent last traveled abroad to Italy in August 2024 and has not returned to India since. Given the respondent's failure to comply with the Court's directions and the inability to physically secure his presence, the Court mandated the CBI to obtain a Red Corner Notice through INTERPOL to enable international cooperation for his arrest and extradition.
Additionally, the Delhi High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to communicate with the relevant authorities in the United States. The MEA was instructed to provide details about the Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) issued against the respondent, the expiry of his Indian passport, and his IP address traced to California, to aid in locating and producing him before the Court.
In parallel, the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police was tasked with investigating the IP address from which the respondent had joined the virtual court proceedings on the day of the order, with instructions to share their findings with the learned Additional Public Prosecutor (APP). The Registry of the Court was also ordered to provide IP address details from the respondent's latest virtual appearance to the APP for follow-up action.
The Court reiterated its direction that the respondent must appear in person at the next hearing scheduled for December 9, 2026, and emphasized that all court proceedings shall continue to be recorded and preserved.
This order underscores the judiciary's resolve to ensure compliance with its mandates and its readiness to utilize international mechanisms like INTERPOL to bring absconding individuals to justice. It also highlights the integration of cyber investigative tools in tracking virtual appearances and locating individuals who attempt to evade physical presence in legal proceedings.
Bottom Line:
Issuance of Red Corner Notice through INTERPOL against a respondent for securing presence in compliance with court orders, including NBWs, and directions to Ministry of External Affairs for communication with foreign authorities.
Statutory provision(s): Contempt of Court Act - Cyber Investigation.
Court on its own motion v. Adeeshwar Singhal, (Delhi)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2981938
