Renewal of Passport Withheld by Economic Offences Wing: Bombay HC allows NRI to Record Statement Via Video Conferencing

The Bombay High Court permitted an NRI to record his statement via video-conference in an economic offenses case, directing the Economic Offences Wing to release his passport which was withheld for two years. The court balanced investigative needs with individual rights, noting modern technology enables effective remote participation in legal processes. The petitioner, a US-based professional, demonstrated genuine hardship in traveling to India repeatedly for investigations. The order sets a progressive precedent for accommodating NRIs in legal proceedings while ensuring investigation continuity. However, the court imposed strict conditions - the respondent must cooperate fully, bear video-conferencing costs, and appear in person if later required. This judgment recognizes globalization's impact on legal processes and adapts procedures accordingly, potentially influencing how other courts handle similar NRI participation requests.