Barreto gets back his passport, to visit Brazil

Barasat, Apr 07 (UNI) Mohun Bagan's Brazilian soccer star Jose Ramirez Barreto's passport, seized by the Indian Customs officials last month, was returned to him today temporarily by an order of a local court.

The court also granted Barreto's prayer to visit his country on a condition that he would return by May 25 and deposit his passport to the Customs department as a criminal case was pending against him.

Barreto was arrested on March 20 from the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International (NSCBI) airport on March 20 for violation of the Indian Customs Act.

He was carrying ''undeclared'' 20,500 dollars and other foreign currencies on his way to Brazil via Dubai.

The Barasat court granted him bail but ordered the seizure of his passport.

District judge Bandana Roy, after hearing the counsel of Barreto today modified an order, passed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate in-charge of Barasat on April three, directing that the passport be returned to the accused on a personal bond of Mohun Bagan club secretary Anjan Mitra.

The district judge, however, imposed condition that the accused will have to appear before May 25 and deposit his passport to the Customs authorities.

Later, Mohun Bagan treasurer Madan Dutta collected the passport of behalf of Barreto as the latter did not appear before the court today.

A petition challenging the earlier order passed by the CJM court here was filed by Barreto lawyer to this effect before the District judge on April four last.

UNI XC-PC SJC AB US1946