Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was granted bail after three weeks in jail. The 23-year old Aryan has been in custody since October 3 following raids on cruise ship rave party. He was denied bail by the lower court twice. A detailed order would be given tomorrow. Aryan Khan’s friend Abaaz Merchant and model Munmun Dhamecha also got bail. Former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi argued Aryan Khan’s case before Bombay High Court. He argued that Aryan’s arrest was direct infringement of the constitutional guarantees. The reason for his arrest was never given, the reputed lawyer said.
Aryan Khan was arrested along with several others in a raid by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Cordelia Cruises’ Empress shi off the Mumbai coast. His bail application was rejected by magistrate court and the special NDPS court.
Aryan Khan’s lawyers repeatedly highlighted the fact that no drugs were found on the young son of the superstar. However, NCB argued that he was part of a big drug network and his WhatsApp conversations reveal a lot of information.
Mukul Rohatgi told the court that the case against Aryan was built based on two year old WhatsApp chat which has no relevance to the cruise or drugs. If any youngman posses or consumes a little quantity of drugs if he is prepared to go to rehabilitation centre,there is no need for prosecution. Aryan Khan, accused no. 1, is not the first-time consumer said the anti-drug agency. He has been consuming drugs for the last few years regularly, the agency told the court. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh said he (Aryan) has been in contact with the peddlars. When the judge asked on what basis they are alleging that the young man was dealing in drugs in commercial quantities, the agency referred to the WhatsApp chats.
Scores of Shah Rukh Khan’sfans gathered before his residence “Mannat” in Mumbai to show their solidarity and support. Salman Khan, Farah Khan and Hrithik Roshan were the few from the film celebrities who chose to come out in public support of the SRK.
Sameer Wankhede’s case
In the meanwhile, Mumbai police have deputed four officers for enquiry into complaints of alleged extortion against NCB officer Sameer Wankhede. Maharashtra government had told the Bombay High Court that it would give 72 hours of prior notice of arrest if there arises a need to arrest Wankhede. Sameer Wankhede requested the court to transfer the investigation by Maharashtra government to the CBI. The Police are conducting enquiries after Prabhakar Sali, advocates Sudha Dwivedi, Kanishka Jain and Nitin Desmukh had filed complaints.
Earlier, Prabhakar Sali alleged that he overheard Kiran Gosavi, a private dictective, another witness in the case, and Sam D’Souza conversing about Rs.25 crore payoff, including Rs.8 crore for Sameer Wankhede in order to let Aryan Khan off.
