“No Reason To Doubt”: Bombay HC Allows Rhea Chakraborty To Retain Passport

Rhea Chakraborty

The Bombay High Court has ordered the Narcotics Control Bureau to permanently return actor Rhea Chakraborty’s passport, relaxing a bail condition imposed in the 2020 drugs case connected to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death.

Chakraborty was arrested in September 2020 and released on bail the following month, subject to strict conditions. Among them was the requirement to surrender her passport and seek permission from the trial court each time she wanted to travel abroad.

In her recent plea, filed through advocate Ayaz Khan, the actor argued that the condition disrupted her professional commitments. She said she often had to cancel or delay international projects due to procedural delays in securing permission, despite having fully complied with bail terms.

NCB’s Opposition

The NCB, represented by advocate S. K. Halwasia, opposed her application. It argued that Chakraborty should not be given special privileges because of her celebrity status and raised concerns that she might pose a flight risk if allowed unrestricted travel.

Court’s Observations

Justice Neela Gokhale rejected the NCB’s objections, pointing out that other accused in the same case had already been granted similar relaxations. The court observed that Chakraborty had:

Complied with all bail conditions.

Cooperated with the trial proceedings.

Returned after every foreign trip when permitted.

Never attempted to evade the legal process.

The bench concluded there was “no reason to doubt her availability” for the trial’s conclusion.

New Conditions For Travel

While allowing her plea, the court directed Chakraborty to continue attending all trial dates unless formally exempted by the trial court. It also laid down safeguards for foreign travel:

She must provide full travel details (itinerary, hotel bookings, flight information) to the prosecution at least four days in advance.

Share her contact number and keep her phone switched on during travel.

Inform the authorities immediately upon her return.

Case Status

The drugs case, which was initiated following Sushant Singh Rajput’s death in June 2020, involves 33 accused persons. The trial is still pending, with charges yet to be framed.