Barreto gets regular bail, but hispassport is still held back

Express news service Posted: Apr 04, 2008 at 0152 hrs
Kolkata, April 03 Brazilian footballer Jose Barreto, arrested on March 20 for carrying dollars in excess of that allowed to a foreigner, was today granted regular bail by a court, but his prayer for return of his passport was rejected.

Barasat district chief judicial magistrate Ratan Gupta rejected his prayer that his passport be returned, while granting him regular bail. The 31-year-old star footballer had been on interim bail.

The Mohun Bagan player was directed to report to the investigating officer every 15 days. The matter would come up again on May 5.

Barreto was arrested under the Customs Act for carrying US $20,500, at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport before he was to board a Dubai-bound flight en route to Brazil.

A large number of people had gathered in the court premises for a glimpse of the stylish forward who has been playing in India since 1999.

Meanwhile, it was learnt through sources in the Mohun Bagan Club that the club administration is planning to move court in a bid to get Barreto cleared.