An actress from Mumbai has been released from Sharjah jail in a welcome surprise for her family. The saga has been unfolding for nearly a month – 26 days – and Chrisann Pereira’s release comes after local media quoted her lawyer in the UAE about the confidence in their case while applying for bail.
A voluntary disclosure from the actress, arrests being made in Mumbai and help from the Indian consulate ensured a happy ending for the actress who landed in the UAE in troubled waters on April 1.
For the uninitiated, Pereira was arrested after drugs were found hidden in a trophy she carried to Sharjah airport. Pereira claims that she was conned into taking over the trophy to someone as a return favour for someone who arranged her trip on the pretext of securing an audition for a role.
She cleared the immigration but when no one came to pick up the trophy at the airport, she showed good presence of mind to voluntarily report to the airport authorities that something was amiss. When the drugs were found, she was sent to a jail in Sharjah.
Meanwhile in Mumbai, the local Crime Branch unit investigated and made two arrests on Tuesday in connection with the case. The accused were identified as Anthony Paul, a resident of Borivali in Mumbai and his accomplice, Rajesh Babhote alias Ravi, a resident of Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district.
Reports suggest that Paul masterminded the plan to frame Chrisann as an act of revenge against the actress’s mother. Pereira, 27, has acted in movies such as Sadak 2 and Batla House. She wrote a thank you note to all those who helped her and brother Kevin shared it on her Instagram page.
Lawyer Mohammed Al Redha told The National that surveillance cameras can confirm his client’s position that she came forward to inform authorities about the “suspicious package” she got.
“My client had passed immigration at the airport and was waiting for someone to take the trophy,” he said. “But when she called her mother, they felt there was something wrong and her family advised her to take it to the police. So the police will examine the cameras that will show that she went to the police and customs.”
Investigations in Mumbai mention that Paul sought revenge on four people in similar fashion, including Pereira, for various reasons – a break-up, jealousy, work-related issues, and fight over Covid-19 restrictions. In two cases, Paul and his accomplice got their victims arrested in Sharjah – Pereira and Clayton Rodrigues. Paul hatched a plot to send Chrisann to the UAE for a purported audition for an international web series.
Journalist for 25 years with leading publications in India and UAE such as The National, Mumbai Mirror, DNA, Indian Express and former Sports Editor of eIndia.com. Now managing editor of Headline.ae, part of MEMc (https://www.memc.co)
Season 29 of Global Village will kick off on October 16, 2024, the outdoor destination announced. The season will run until May 11, 2025. The popular destination remains closed during the summer months. This year, Global Village is expanding its offerings, featuring more cultural representations, never-before-seen entertainment, and exciting infrastructure upgrades.
Visitors to the family-friendly destination can experience a diverse range of performances, shopping, and dining experiences from cultures around the world.
Opening more than 25 years ago, the destination set a new record of over 10 million visitors in its 28th season, the longest season to date, hosting 27 pavilions representing over 90 cultures from around the globe, as well as 3,500 shopping outlets and 250 dining options.
The destination is expecting millions of visitors from around the globe to gather for the park’s attractions during the upcoming season.
Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s acclaimed Ferrari-themed park, has once again redefined entertainment by launching the world’s first Ferrari-themed Esports Arena. This state-of-the-art venue is set to become the go-to destination for racing enthusiasts, Formula 1 aficionados, and thrill-seekers alike.
The newly unveiled Ferrari World Esports Arena features an impressive lineup of 20 Gran Turismo simulators, thoughtfully designed to cater to a broad audience. Fourteen simulators are dedicated to adult racers, while six are specifically designed for younger guests, creating a family-friendly atmosphere that welcomes visitors of all ages.
The arena also includes three specialised F1 simulators, offering participants the exhilarating experience of sitting in the driver’s seat of a Ferrari race car and racing on legendary F1 Grand Prix circuits, including the Yas Marina Circuit. Open daily from 10am to 6pm, the Ferrari World Esports Arena offers access to the Gran Turismo simulators as part of the theme park ticket until the end of the year. The exclusive F1 simulators are available for an additional fee, starting from Dh60 per race.
A new beach, only for women, has been announced in Sharjah under the orders of the emirate’s ruler Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. The 500-meter beach is located in the Lulu’iya area of Khorfakkan and will offer complete privacy for women. The beach will also have other amenities like a cafe, a medical clinic, and a prayer room.
Other than this beach, Sharjah has the Sharjah Ladies Club beach and in 2023, Sheikh Dr Sultan announced the development of women’s only beaches in Kalba and at Al Hamariya Beach. In May this year, the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed launched the Dubai Quality of Life Strategy 2033, which includes designating new beaches for only women.
In further orders, the Sharjah Ruler directed the construction of a pedestrian bridge linking Al Bardi 6 and Al Batha areas in Khorfakkan city.
Speaking on the Sharjah’s Direct Line radio programme, Yousef Khamis Al Othmani, Chairman of RTA Sharjah said that the new bridge will help the movement of residents between the two areas.
He also said the RTA will implement modifications to the internal roads in the Hayawa area.
