UAE: Indian actress arrested on drug charges released from Sharjah jail, lawyer issues statement

An Indian actress arrested in the UAE on drug possession charges has been released. Sources have confirmed the news to Khaleej Times that the woman, who was lodged in a Sharjah jail, has been granted bail.

Her lawyer, Mohammed Al Redha Mohamed Abdullah Al Redha of Lawyer and Legal Consultant at Al Redha and Company, who spoke with Khaleej Times, said the actress was granted bail last night and will stay with her relatives in the UAE. "The case is with the public prosecutor, and since the investigation is underway, she is not permitted to travel now." A top Sharjah Police official confirmed to Khaleej Times that the actress had been arrested and referred to the public prosecution.

The case is currently under trial, and her lawyer is waiting for the criminal laboratory report — which is likely to be out on Monday — to proceed further.

“The lab report will provide information about the quantity of the drug, the kind of drug, and its purity. The public prosecution now has two option: to clear the case and close the file or transfer it to the Sharjah Court," said Al Redha, adding that the actress is innocent and people back in India have tricked her.

Explaining the circumstances of the case, Al Redha said, “She exited the airport and found there was no one to receive her. The people who sent her here [UAE] did not receive her calls or reply to her texts. She informed her parent back in Mumbai and informed the customs at the airport about the situation.”

The 27-year-old actress was allegedly framed by two men who 'deceived' her with false promises of an audition and a role in a Hollywood web series. Reportedly, she travelled to the UAE under the impression of bagging an acting gig.

The two men tricked the actress into carrying a trophy with her to Sharjah, which had drugs concealed inside the metal piece. On April 1, when the woman landed at Sharjah Airport from Mumbai, she was apprehended by the authorities for possession of drug.

A small quantity of drugs was found concealed within the memento that one of the men had allegedly given to the actress to hand over to someone in the UAE.

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