Mumbai: In a major relief to Rhea Chakraborty, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to return her passport.
The central agency had seized the actor’s passport in connection with the 2020 drugs case linked to fellow-actor and her former partner Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case.
The passport had been impounded as part of Rhea’s bail conditions, but the high court said that as the actress has abided by all rules so far, there is no reason to doubt her presence during trial proceedings.
Rhea was arrested by NCB on September 8, 2020 following Sushant’s death on June 14 that year.
Rhea, who featured in films like ‘Jalebi’ and ‘Mere Dad Ki Maruti’, was granted bail in October 2020. Among the conditions set by the court were her passport would remain in NCB’s custody and she was also required to seek permission is she wanted to travel abroad.
Rhea had filed a fresh petition recently through her lawyer Ayaz Khan, asking for the release of her passport, arguing that continued seizure of the document caused her professional setbacks.
NCB opposed the plea, contending that Rhea should not be granted special concessions because of her celebrity status. The agency also expressed concern that the actress might not return to India if allowed unrestricted travel abroad.
However, the high court bench, headed by Justice Neela Gokhale, observed that others accused in the case had also been granted similar relief earlier.
The court also argued that Rhea had attended every hearing, and she also returned on time on previous occasions when she was permitted to travel abroad.
While ordering the return of her passport, Bombay HC laid down certain conditions:
* Rhea Chakraborty must attend every hearing unless exempted by the trial court.
* Rhea must provide her full travel itinerary, including flight and hotel details, to the prosecution at least four days before departure.
* Rhea must share her mobile number, keep her phone active, and inform the agencies immediately upon her return.
