Mumbai Drug Bust LIVE Updates: Aryan Khan’s WhatsApp Chats Involve Hard Drugs, Communication With Foreign National, Says NCB

Mumbai Drug Bust Case LIVE Updates: Aryan khan‘s newly-appointed lawyer Amit Desai on Wednesday told the special NDPS court that the NCB’s allegation that Shah Rukh khan‘s 23-year-old son was part of an illicit international drug trafficking ring is absurd and being ‘dumped on his casually’ especially because the drug agency didn’t recover any contraband from him and has not even recorded his fresh statement since October 5.

Earlier, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in its reply to the special court, said that Aryan Khan used to procure contraband from friend Arbaaz Merchant. The agency accused Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s 23-year-old son of being an ‘integral part’ of a drug nexus. They added that Aryan is in touch with people who are a part of ‘international drug network’ for illegal procurement of drug. The matter pertains to SRK’s son and seven others in connection with the cruise ship raid in Mumbai on October 3. Earlier in the day, SRK’s manager Puja Dadlani filed an application before the court, requesting it to allow her in for hearing as Aryan’s representative.

The case came to the special court after a magistrate’s court rejected their plea on the ground that it did not have the jurisdiction to decide on the matter. The Narcotics Control Bureau claimed to have recovered banned drugs from some persons aboard the cruise ship, hinting at an “international drug trafficking” network which needs to be probed. The NDPS court had issued orders to the NCB on Monday and asked it to file its reply regarding the matter by October 13.

Aryan Khan’s lawyer Satish Maneshinde maintains that he was “falsely implicated” and that the NCB has no grounds to keep him in custody since no psychotropic substances were recovered from his personal possession. Senior lawyer Taraq Sayyed, who is representing Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha in the case, asked in the court why would the accused go on the ship to sell five grams charas when they can buy the entire ship? “The 5 grams charas they have allegedly found, will those boys go on the ship to sell it? Like I said earlier, why would they go on the ship to sell 5 grams charas when they can buy the entire ship,” he was later quoted by ETimes.

Meanwhile, the NCB is likely to oppose the bail application of Aryan Khan. A report in India Today quoted sources as saying that the agency has come across some new revelations during the investigation. The interrogation of some of the accused will be put in front of of the court by the NCB. Shah Rukh Khan’s son and others were charged with offences under Section 8(c), 20(b), 27, 28, 29 and 35 of the NDPS Act. On October 7, Aryan was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days after which he immediately moved court seeking bail.

Several voices in the Bollywood, including filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, comedian Johnny Lever and actor Raveena Tandon, have expressed solidarity with superstar Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri. As the news of Mumbai court rejecting Aryan’s bail plea came in, groups of fans stood in vigil outside the Khan residence Mannat in Bandra. Several people, who had been camping with banners such as This too shall pass, asked media personnel for updates about the case. Though most of mainstream Bollywood has been quiet, many fans and friends expressed their solidarity with the Khans.

Hrithik Roshan also took to Instagram and posted a letter addressed to Aryan, saying the tough times will only make him stronger. Earlier in the week, his former wife, interior designer Sussanne Khan, also came out in support of Aryan and said she stands by Shah Rukh and Gauri.

Before Hrithik and Sussanne, filmmaker Hansal Mehta, actors Pooja Bhatt and Suchitra Krishnamoorthi expressed their solidarity with Shah Rukh. Hours after Aryan’s arrest, Shah Rukh’s friend Salman Khan visited the actor at his home. Actor Suniel Shetty was one of the earliest celebrities to support Aryan, urging people to give him a breather.

“He is a child, taking care of him is our responsibility,” Shetty had said. As the stars spoke, fans outside Mannat made their own point.

Some stood holding an old photograph of the actor greeting his fans outside on Eid with the caption, We stand with SRK and his family. There were others who stood across the road with banners of support and hope. One said, “Sab thik ho jayega (Everything will be fine)” and another that they believed in the actor’s upbringing of Aryan.

With Thanks, Reference to: https://www.news18.com/news/india/aryan-khan-bail-plea-hearing-live-updates-mumbai-cruise-ship-drug-bust-shah-rukh-khan-bollywood-ncb-4316798.html