Former Amnesty India chief Aakar Patel, who was barred from leaving the country twice last week, is “involved in a number of cases,” the CBI told a Delhi court on Tuesday, despite Patel’s lawyer insisting that “nothing suggests that my client is a flight risk.” “Do I look like Nirav Modi or Vijay Mallya?” During the hearing, Aakar Patel questioned the issuance of a LOC (lookout circular) against him.

The central investigation agency informed the court that “sanctions have been granted in order to prosecute” Aakar Patel. Nikhil Goel, appearing on behalf of the agency, stated that Patel has been involved in a number of cases.

The court was told that he was not named in the FIR because the name of the organization (Amnesty India) was there. According to the lawyer, Patel “was the person in charge of controlling the organization.” He contended that “funds or donations were used for commercial purposes.” “Money came not only from Amnesty UK but also from other UK firms,” said the CBI counsel.

Tanveer Ahmed Mir, Patel’s lawyer, argued in response to the CBI submissions that other cases against his client “cannot operate as the engine of operation against him.” He stated that Patel had previously traveled to Bangladesh and returned. Regarding the ticket sponsorship, he added on Patel’s behalf, “I am a person of integrity. I may have received the offer, but I chose not to accept it. That is entirely up to me.”

He also stated that “the sanction imposed by the CBI is purely procedural because cognizance on the charge sheet could not have been taken without the sanction.”

On Friday, the activist claimed that he was barred from flying to the United States, just a day after the court ordered the CBI to apologize for the LoC.

After the CBI filed a challenge, the court ruled on Friday that the activist could not leave the country until the CBI’s case was heard.

The CBI counsel also stated that the lecture he wanted to attend was delivered virtually, so he could address it online. “Everything is paid for. It is not our fault that he selects business or economy class. “The additional chief metropolitan magistrate cannot enter the civil court and claim that mental harassment occurred,” the court was told.

The counsel also stated that Patel is giving media interviews because “he is a media man.” He stated that both universities where Patel was scheduled to give lectures had offered to provide round-trip tickets as well as lodging. “However, Patel chose not to take advantage of the offer.”