Actor Shiney Ahuja, known for his roles in films like “Gangster” and “Woh Lamhe,” had faced legal troubles when he was convicted of rape in 2011. While he was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment, he is currently out on bail. Initially prohibited from leaving the country without court approval, this restriction was later eased. In a recent development, the Bombay High Court has granted permission for the renewal of his passport for a period of 10 years.
Passport Renewal Granted by Bombay High Court As reported by India Today, Shiney Ahuja has found significant relief in his ongoing legal proceedings as the Bombay High Court has authorized the 10-year renewal of his passport on August 8th. This decision came in response to a plea filed by Ahuja, seeking an extended renewal period for his passport.
According to Ahuja’s advocate, Karamsingh Rajput, the actor faced additional difficulties due to his passport being renewed for just a year. This created challenges since several countries require Indian nationals to have passports valid for at least six months for entry.
Justice Amit Borkar, the single bench presiding over the case, acknowledged that Ahuja had consistently adhered to the conditions of his bail since 2011. The court’s observation suggested that the frequent renewal of his passport, six times in total, indicated that he was unlikely to be a flight risk.
The court noted that Ahuja had maintained his compliance with bail terms even after multiple renewals. Therefore, the Bombay High Court concluded that there were no breaches of bail conditions. As a result, the court granted the actor’s request for the passport authority to renew his passport for a period of 10 years.
Furthermore, the court emphasized that the pending status of his appeal should not hinder the extension of his passport for a decade if Ahuja met the necessary requirements.
Background on Shiney Ahuja’s Conviction Shiney Ahuja faced allegations of sexual assault by his domestic help in June 2009. The complainant claimed that she had been sexually assaulted at Ahuja’s Mumbai residence. Subsequently, he was arrested on June 14, 2009. In March 2011, a trial court found him guilty under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (punishment for rape). He was sentenced to seven years in prison. However, Ahuja appealed against the verdict and was granted bail on April 27, 2011, with the restriction to travel abroad. This travel restriction was later relaxed.
While his legal battle continues, the Bombay High Court’s decision to extend the validity of his passport by 10 years is seen as a significant development in his ongoing legal proceedings.
