Calcutta HC asks customs to return Barreto's passport

Kolkata, Apr 23 (UNI) Footballer Ramiroz Jose Barreto got a breather after Calcutta High Court directed the customs authorities to immediately return his passport.

Justice Asim Roy issued the ruling on an appeal by the soccer star challenging a lower court's stay order on getting back his passport, which was seized by custom officials at the NSCBI airport on March 20 for carrying USD 20,500 of unaccounted money on his way to Brazil.

Justice Roy issued a 42-day conditional breather for his passport after he agreed to deposit Rs 15 lakhs and a guarantor before the court.

Mohan Bagan Trust secretary Anjan Mitra agreed to stand as the guarantor and paid the amount before the court, Barreto's lawyer Joymalya Bagchi said.

The court also held that Barreto must return his passport after six weeks before the Barasat district court, which is hearing his case on passport seizure.

The court also pulled up the custom officials for their failure to provide the bench with documents, which necessitated the seizure of the passport.

Though the immigration officials arrested Barreto and seized his passport, he got bail and his case remained unheard before the lower court.

Barreto then moved the High Court after his prayer for getting back his passport was not granted.

UNI XC PP KLC1440