Shilpa Shetty Withdraws High Court Travel Plea Amidst Judicial Scrutiny

In a recent development that has captured significant attention, renowned actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra opted to withdraw her plea from the Bombay High Court, which sought permission for international travel. This decision came after the High Court expressed its reservations and sought further clarity on the necessity of such a plea, given that her passport had previously been returned in an unrelated case.

Shetty Kundra had approached the High Court after a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court rejected her initial request on October 10.

Her petition outlined plans for a Diwali vacation with her family in London, scheduled from October 25 to November 20. Following her international trip, she also intended to visit Shirdi for a two-day pilgrimage.

During the High Court proceedings, a bench led by Justice N.J. Jamadar critically inquired about the status of her passport.

Shetty Kundra's legal counsel informed the court that her passport had, in fact, been returned to her in connection with a separate criminal case – an obscenity case linked to her husband, Raj Kundra's alleged involvement in producing and distributing adult content.

Public prosecutor Hiten Venegaonkar, representing the state, voiced concerns regarding the timing and the somewhat vague nature of the purpose behind her proposed London visit.

He highlighted the ongoing money laundering probe against Raj Kundra and others by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which underpins the actress's need to seek court permission for travel.

The High Court then indicated its reluctance to grant immediate relief. Justice Jamadar observed that since her passport was already with her, a specific court order for travel might not be required unless there were other restrictive conditions imposed on her movement.

The court underscored the importance of providing comprehensive details and a clear justification for seeking judicial intervention in such matters.

Following this line of questioning and the court's apparent reluctance to grant an immediate favorable order, Shetty Kundra's lawyer requested permission to withdraw the current petition.

The intention, as stated, was to file a fresh application that would include more specific details and address the court's concerns comprehensively. The Bombay High Court acceded to this request, allowing the withdrawal of the petition.

This episode highlights the meticulous scrutiny by the judiciary in cases involving individuals under investigation, especially concerning international travel.

Shetty Kundra's legal team is now expected to refine their approach and present a more detailed application in due course, aiming to secure the necessary permissions for her planned overseas and domestic travels.