Mumbai: ‘Trust of my family, Mumbai police helped me cope’

Actor Chrisann Pereira greets Mumbai police chief Vivek Phansalkar, at the CP office in Crawford Market, south Mumbai, on Thursday

Picture yourself excited about an international venture you've always dreamed of, only to end up in jail because you were honest and reported a possible job scam," said actor Chrisann Pereira, while speaking to mid-day upon returning home after 124 days. Framed by city-based baker Anthony Paul, Chrisann was locked up for 26 days in Sharjah, the UAE, on drug charges.

She returned home on Wednesday, after being cleared of the drug charges. On Thursday, she met with Commissioner of Police (CP) Vivek Phansalkar and Joint Commissioner (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam, to thank them for promptly taking on her case and eventually proving her innocence.

Pereira at the office of the Mumbai commissioner of police. Pics/Sameer Markande

"It was an absolute nightmare, and for the first time in my life, I felt helpless as we knew who had framed my daughter, but we couldn't take any action. However, when the crime branch got involved, they swiftly arrested the culprits and ensured our daughter's return to India. Their thorough investigation ultimately proved her innocence, and we are immensely grateful to them," said Mark Pereira,
Chrisann's father.

Raj Tilak Roushan (DCP Detection-1) explained, "We expedited our investigation and filed the charge sheet before the deadline, translated the documents into Arabic and sent them to the relevant authorities abroad. The local court in Sharjah considered this evidence, aiding in the pursuit of justice." Senior PI Deepak Sawant of crime branch's Unit 10 had arrested Paul, the prime accused, his associate Rajesh Borate alias Ravi and their drug supplier Shantilal Rajput.

Chrisann, in an interview with mid-day, courageously recounted the ordeal she endured over the past three months. Below are excerpts from the interview:

Chrisann, could you please tell us how it all started?
Picture yourself excited about a job opportunity, an international venture you've always dreamed of, only to end up in jail because you were honest and reported a possible job scam. It was nightmarish. I had seen such scenarios only in movies, and I couldn't believe it was happening to me. Ravi booked my tickets to Sharjah for April 1. Before leaving, when Ravi asked me to carry along a trophy, I didn't think too much of it.

How did you find yourself trapped in that situation?
Upon landing at Sharjah airport, I noticed the messages from Ravi had disappeared. I felt something was amiss. There was no hotel booking, which made me anxious. I informed my parents, and in a state of panic, I dumped the trophy in a dustbin. But fearing that someone could be following me and may harm me, I took the trophy out and handed it to the local authorities. I explained to them everything. They rescanned my bag and found drugs hidden in the trophy along with a note that read: ‘The joke is on you'. They arrested me, and for 17 days, I couldn't inform my family.

How was your experience at the prison?
Those 26 days in jail felt like an eternity. It was terrifying, as people said I could spend 25 years in jail because of the UAE's strict drug laws. I was locked up with inmates from Egypt, Africa, Pakistan and other countries. Although there were some basic facilities, like medical check-ups, washrooms and AC, it was still a prison. Every second, I yearned to be free. Finally, on April 26, the news came that I had been granted bail and I walked out of the prison. Eventually, I was cleared of all charges. But, I can hardly put the ordeal inside those walls into words.

How did you cope with the hardships, far from home?
I survived thanks to my family, who put their trust in me and believed in my innocence. I was relieved when I learned that the crime branch had stepped in and apprehended the culprits who had framed me.