Chrisann Pereira has been released from Sharjah Central Jail on bail, her lawyer and family confirmed.
The 27-year-old actress from Mumbai was detained by police at Sharjah airport on April 1 after authorities found drugs concealed in a trophy she was carrying.
Her lawyer in Dubai, Mohammad Al Redha, told The National, that the Indian actress had been granted bail and her passport deposited with Sharjah prosecutors until investigations are completed.
Chrisann told us, ‘I will be okay once I’m home.’
Premila Pereira,
the actress's mother
“We applied for bail and the prosecutors accepted the bail,” Mr Al Redha said.
“Her passport will be held until the case is over, they asked for no other guarantees.
“She got bail as they have understood that she is not involved in any drugs case and approached the police to give information.”
A laboratory report on the quantity of drugs is due.
The Indian actress was allegedly duped by two men into travelling to the UAE for an audition of a “Hollywood” web series being shot in Dubai.
She said she was asked to carry an awards trophy minutes before the flight took off from Mumbai to Sharjah.
Her family said they were worried when no one met her at Sharjah airport, and they advised her to approach the police and report that she had carried the trophy from India.
Mumbai Police arrested the men, who had allegedly posed as talent scouts, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act after Pereira’s family filed a complaint.
'Chrisann was emotional'
The actress's mother Premila Pereira said the family were relieved she was out on bail.
“We have spoken to her, she is so happy,” her mother told The National from the family home in Borivali, Mumbai.
“Chrisann was emotional, in tears and says that she wants to set her feet down in India.
“She told us, ‘I will be OK once I’m home.’
“After 25 days in jail, she just wants to be back with us.
“I want to thank the authorities for granting Chrisann bail.”
The actress has acted in Hindi-language action thrillers such as Batla House and Sadak 2.
Mumbai Police said the two men, Rajesh Borate and Anthony Paul, had attempted to deceive four others into smuggling drugs into the UAE concealed inside trophies.
One of the men, Anthony Paul, knew the family and had demanded 8,000,000 rupees ($97,700) to secure Chrisann’s release in Sharjah, Mumbai Police said in a statement.
“Just before she took the flight, she was given a golden-coloured trophy that she was asked to carry as a memento,” Mumbai Police said.
“Sharjah Police arrested her at the airport and took her for questioning because there were narcotic substances in the trophy.
“After she was arrested in Sharjah, the men asked for 8,000,000 rupees to get her released.”
Investigations continue
Pereira’s lawyer said his client’s position that she was duped was verified by her actions.
Mr Al Redha said Pereira had completed the immigration formalities at Sharjah airport and returned to alert authorities about the suspicious package.
“She is not involved in any drugs and is innocent,” he said.
“When no one came to meet her in Sharjah on April 1, she sent a WhatsApp message to the talent man in India and was worried when she saw all earlier messages deleted.
“She checked with the hotel and there was no booking.
“She was very worried and called her family. She also sent a photograph to them of the trophy. They asked her to go to the police to report what had happened and explain everything about the suspicious trophy.
“She has been framed. We explained all this to the prosecution, of how she returned to speak to the police on her own.”
The lawyer said a meeting was scheduled for next week when the laboratory report on the drugs would be available.
“We will meet the public prosecution again on Monday,” Mr Al Redha said.
“Information about the arrests made in India has been forwarded to authorities here.”
In the UAE the penalty for personal possession and personal use of less than 20 grams is a fine or jail. Punishment for possession of up to 100g can be 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Dh100,000.
Possession of more than 100g would be considered drug trafficking and could result in a life sentence and a fine of at least Dh500,000.
Foreigners convicted of drug-related offences can be deported after serving a prison sentence.
A cheaper choice
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Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
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Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Brief scores:
Barcelona 3
Pique 38', Messi 51 (pen), Suarez 82'
Rayo Vallecano 1
De Tomas Gomez 24'
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
THE LOWDOWN
Photograph
Rating: 4/5
Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz
Arabian Gulf League fixtures:
Friday:
- Emirates v Hatta, 5.15pm
- Al Wahda v Al Dhafra, 5.25pm
- Al Ain v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, 8.15pm
Saturday:
- Dibba v Ajman, 5.15pm
- Sharjah v Al Wasl, 5.20pm
- Al Jazira v Al Nasr, 8.15pm
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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ICC Awards for 2021
MEN
Cricketer of the Year – Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Babar Azam (Pakistan)
Test Cricketer of the Year – Joe Root (England)
WOMEN
Cricketer of the Year – Smriti Mandhana (India)
ODI Cricketer of the Year – Lizelle Lee (South Africa)
T20 Cricketer of the Year – Tammy Beaumont (England)
