Summary: Vinod Kumar Pathror's fight against a detention order has taken a new turn. The Delhi High Court has turned down his request to cancel the order, saying he must first turn himself in.
On January 2, 2018, a detention order was issued against Vinod Kumar Pathror under the COFEPOSA Act. This order aimed to detain him in Tihar Jail, New Delhi, for alleged fraudulent activities involving customs licenses, also known as "scrips."
"Vinod Kumar Pathror was ordered to be detained and kept in Tihar Jail, New Delhi."
The case against Vinod Kumar Pathror began on September 9, 2015, when problems were found in the customs licenses. It was claimed that Pathror, along with others, fraudulently changed these licenses to increase their value, causing a loss of about ₹73.55 crores to the government.
"The alleged manipulation and utilisation of licences/scrips is stated to have resulted in a loss...estimated at approximately Rupees 73.55 crores."
Despite multiple requests and notices, Vinod Kumar Pathror did not show up for investigations. As a result, he was declared a Proclaimed Offender on May 4, 2017, and a Look Out Circular was issued against him.
"Vinod Kumar Pathror was declared a Proclaimed Offender...and a Look Out circular dated 12.10.2017 had also been issued."
On February 27, 2026, the Delhi High Court, with Justices Navin Chawla and Ravinder Dudeja, dismissed Vinod Kumar Pathror's request to challenge the detention order before it was carried out. The court stressed that Pathror needs to turn himself in before contesting the order.
"We refuse to exercise our jurisdiction under Article 226...at a pre-execution stage."
The court's decision makes it clear that people avoiding the law cannot fight detention orders without first turning themselves in. Vinod Kumar Pathror's next step would be to comply with the detention order to seek further legal options.
"We, however, keep it open to Vinod Kumar Pathror to challenge the Impugned Order in accordance with law after he has surrendered."
