The Hindu : National : Sheetal Mafatlal sent to judicial custody

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Sheetal Mafatlal sent to judicial custody

Photo: PTI

In the dock: Sheetal Mafatlal leaves the court in Mumbai on Monday.

Mumbai: Businesswoman Sheetal Mafatlal was on Mondayy remanded to judicial custody till June 12 after she was arrested for allegedly trying to evade duty by not declaring Rs.51 lakh-worth jewellery in what is being claimed as a result of a tip-off by her “disgruntled opponent“.

Sheetal, a prominent socialite and president of Mafatlal Luxury who was arrested at the airport on Sunday on her return from London, might have to spend one more day in jail as a local court deferred her bail plea until Tuesday.

Attired in a peach salwar-suit and wearing sunglasses, Sheetal was in the court sitting near the dock. At one stage, she was gestured by a court staff to remove her glasses and she promptly did so. Her husband Atulya, the scion of Mafatlal Industries, was standing during the entire court proceedings which lasted for two hours. Atulya and her lawyer claimed that she was a Non-Resident Indian,

Sheetal’s arrest followed a tip-off to the police and other authorities by some “disgruntled” opponents of the Mafatlal family and industry, Defence lawyer Satish Maneshinde claimed.

Prosecutor Arun Gupte contended that Sheetal was guilty of offences under Customs Act which were non-bailable. He alleged that she had smuggled goods, including jewellery worth Rs 53.67 lakh. She had not declared goods and walked through the green channel, he said.

Mr. Gupte argued that Sheetal was influential and came from a well-to-do family and she was likely to tamper with evidence if granted bail.

‘Offences bailable’

Mr. Maneshinde said the offences alleged by the prosecution were bailable. If granted bail, Sheetal would not abscond as the accused had roots in society, he argued.

He further assured that Sheetal would pay to the Customs Department the deposit which the court might order as a condition of bail.

The lawyer said jewellery and other goods brought by Sheetal were her personal belongings and given to her by her relatives.

Mr. Maneshinde told reporters that Sheetal had 51 items in her possession, including bangles, chains and rings and the most valuable jewellery was worth Rs 2.5 lakh. PTI

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