Court rejects actor’s plea to travel to Dubai for livelihood

Verma had this month sought permission to travel to Dubai for five days ‘to earn her livelihood and further establish herself in the film industry’. The ED opposed the plea stating that the statements of witnesses in the chargesheet show that proceeds of crime in the case were laundered through shell companies and invested in Dubai. If permitted, Verma may divert the money trail, the ED said. It also said that one of the co-accused was in touch with one Sheikh Almuallah in Dubai, as per its evidence.

“In this background, ED has a strong apprehension that the applicant (A6) (Verma) is visiting Dubai to deal with the proceeds of crime (POC) in the guise of earning for life. As noted above, the apprehension of ED is justified…… If the applicant (A6) deals with POC in Dubai, the same will ultimately paralyze further investigation of ED which is underway…,” special judge MG Deshpande said on Saturday.

The ED also submitted that while she was permitted to travel earlier as well, she was asked to inform the ED upon return but she had not done that in violation of the court order.

“…such conduct of the applicant (A6) if permitted, that would amount to use of process of the Court for the illegal activities in Dubai, which is not only detrimental to the case of the Prosecution but also amounts to throwing dust in the eyes of ED and the Court. Such conduct of the applicant (A6) cannot be entertained,” the court said rejecting the plea.