Bombay High Court Grants Bail to Men Accused of Framing Actor in UAE Drug Case

The Bombay High Court granted bail to Rajesh Bobhate and Anthony Paul, accused of framing actor Chrisann Pereira in a UAE drug case. They were arrested for planting cannabis in a memento given to Pereira. The court cited the relatively small quantity of drugs involved and their year-long incarceration as reasons for bail.

The Bombay High Court has granted bail to two men accused of trying to frame actor Chrisann Pereira in a drug case in the United Arab Emirates. Justice Manish Pitale, in the order passed on Tuesday, granted bail to Rajesh Bobhate and Anthony Paul on personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each. The order became available on Wednesday.

The duo had been in jail for about one year and five months, the court noted.

The order stated that only a small quantity of cannabis was involved, and continuing their custody served no purpose. Bobhate and Paul were arrested in April 2023 for allegedly planting ganja in a memento handed to Pereira. The duo demanded Rs 80 lakh from her mother to arrange her release after her detention in the UAE, but her mother approached the police instead.

Advocate Ayaz Khan, representing the accused, highlighted their lengthy incarceration and the minor quantity of drugs involved. The court stipulated that Bobhate and Paul must cooperate with the trial and attend hearings unless exempted, vowing not to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.

(With inputs from agencies.)