Restrictions on Nooria's movements to stay

Nooria Haveliwala, a US national, accused of killing a traffic police officer and a motorcyclist while speeding under the influence of alcohol and drugs on January 30, 2010, will have to continue to live under movement restrictions.

Nooria Haveliwala, a US national, accused of killing a traffic police officer and a motorcyclist while speeding under the influence of alcohol and drugs on January 30, 2010, will have to continue to live under movement restrictions.

HT Image

The Bombay high court on Friday rejected her petition challenging an order passed by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) in October 2011 restricting her movements to Greater Mumbai till the trial in her drink-driving case is concluded.

"The power invested in the FRRO is absolute considering the person concerned is a foreigner," the division bench of justice AM Khanwilkar and justice AR Joshi observed while dismissing Nooria's petition.

The bench felt such action became imperative in matters where a foreigner was involved in serious offences in India.

Nooria is facing trial for allegedly killing a police sub-inspector attached to the traffic division and a motorcyclist on an empty road in Marine Lines in the early hours of January 30, 2011 while speeding after imbibing alcohol and drugs. Four traffic constables were also injured.

On October 13, 2011, the FRRO imposed movement restrictions upon the 28-year-old beautician fearing she might flee to the US and may not be available to face trial. Nooria had challenged the restriction on grounds that the FRRO overlooked the fact that she had been granted bail and there was no tangible material suggesting she might evade trial.

The court, however, discarded the argument.