Mumbai: Bombay High Court has relaxed the bail conditions imposed on actor Rhea Chakraborty, an accused in a narcotics case, and allowed her to travel abroad with prior intimation to the investigation officers.

Chakraborty was arrested by Narcotics Control Bureau on Sept 8, 2020, along with her brother and others, on allegations of financing and procuring drugs for late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s consumption. While granting bail, the trial court had imposed a condition that Chakraborty should not leave the country without prior permission from the special judge.

In HC, Chakraborty’s lawyers contended that she is required to travel abroad for work and had to forgo assignments because of the delay in obtaining prior permission. They also said the chargesheet has already been submitted and pointed out that similar relaxation was granted to eight co-accused in the case.

The prosecution objected saying Chakraborty should not be given special treatment because she is a celebrity, and she may not return to the country. She is also a flight risk, prosecution alleged.

HC, however, said that Chakraborty has cooperated with the trial till date and has not been found violating any bail conditions and has always returned from abroad whenever she has travelled with permission.

“Before travelling abroad, she shall inform the prosecuting agency and furnish her complete itinerary at least four days before her departure... She is also directed to give her phone number to the prosecuting agency and keep her phone switched on at all times. She shall also intimate the prosecuting agency on her return to India,” HC said.