The High Court of Bombay at Goa has permitted a Nigerian national lodged at the Mapusa detention centre to attend proceedings in an NDPS case before a trial court in Himachal Pradesh through video-conferencing.
Recording the petitioner’s grievance, the court noted practical constraints due to the absence of valid travel documents.
Nigerian national, Offor Ben alias Mark alias Lawrance, had sought directions to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Goa, to allow him to travel to New Delhi to visit the Nigerian Embassy for completing biometric formalities to obtain a fresh passport.
He further submitted that, in the absence of a passport, he was unable to travel to Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, to attend trial proceedings before the Additional District and Sessions Judge-II, where he is charged with an offence under the NDPS Act. It was also pointed out that a non-bailable warrant was issued against him by the Kullu court.
For the present, the High Court opted for an interim arrangement while refusing permission to travel out of Goa. “For the moment, it would suffice if the Petitioner is permitted to attend the Kullu Court through a video-conferencing facility which the FRRO Goa would provide from the Detention Centre at Mapusa, Goa,” the court directed.
The Bench further ordered the FRRO to provide this facility on all the days when the Petitioner is to attend the Kullu Court and facilitate him in establishing the video-conferencing link with that Court. The next date of hearing before the Kullu court is scheduled for June 3. The High Court has posted the matter for further consideration on July 1.
