In the remand case for Aryan Khan, and others, arrested by the NCB in the cruise ship drugs case, the Court noted that the investigation is of ‘prime importance’, and extended the remand custody till 7 October. On Monday, the NCB also arrested one Shreyas Nair from Goregaon in the case, as per a report by ANI. The report also states that Nair has alleged links with Aryan.
The NCB had alleged that they found 'incriminating evidence' on Aryan Khan's phone, and sought custody till 11 October to investigate a "nexus".
Aryan Khan, and others, accused, including Arbaaz Merchantt and Munmun Dhamecha, in the cruise ship drugs raid by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), were produced for remand at a Mumbai court on Monday. Advocate Satish Maneshinde represents Aryan Khan while Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh represents the NCB. The NCB sought custody till 11 October.
The first remand was for the five arrested in the second batch, including Ishmeet Singh Chadha, Mohak Jaiswal, Vikrant Chhokar, and Vikrant Chhokar. The NCB remand states that ‘incriminating material’ (pictures) was found on Aryan Khan’s phone. The NCB has allegedly found that there were talks about ‘procuring in bulk’.
NCB Needs Time To Investigate Nexus: ASG Anil Singh
ASG Anil Singh further told the Court that there are five other people who are under investigation. The remand states there are links in chats ‘indicating towards an international racket’. Singh alleged that Aryan Khan was discussing modes of payment and code names were used.
Singh added that all offences under the NDPS act are non-bailable citing previous Bombay High Court judgments, including Rhea Chakraborty’s bail order. Singh further said that a supplier was arrested from Juhu, and they found a ‘commercial quantity’ with the supplier.
“Ultimately, we have to see the purpose and object of the Act. It is to remove the drug menace from society. You can't claim that just because you are found with a small quantity or nothing, you are entitled for bail,” ASG Anil Singh said in Court.
ASG Anil Singh sought more days for custody to track the financing and to “unearth the nexus,” adding that the ship’s organiser has also been apprehended.
Nothing Was Found in Aryan Khan's Bag: Advocate Satish Maneshinde
Aryan Khan, through advocate Maneshinde, stated, “I landed there with a friend of mine on invite from the organisers. I got to know the best suit is allotted to me. I have not paid anything for this party.”
The statement by Maneshinde continued, “My bag was searched but nothing was found. After sometime they took custody of my phone and began interrogating me. Mr Merchant is a friend of mine. He was found in possession and we were arrested.”
The NCB informed that 6 grams of charas were seized from the friend. Maneshinde stated, “This is a small quantity. None of the other drugs were seized from us. The main seizure is from the other accused,” adding that Aryan is not connected to them.
Aryan Khan's statement, read out by advocate Maneshinde said, "Now they say when I (Aryan Khan) was abroad, I have certain conversations in the phone and they want to bust an international drug trafficking racket."
"In the last one year I've gone to my university. In the entire period I have not indulged in any drug trafficking. Even if the offences are non-bailable as argued, based on Rhea's case, I am entitled to bail. There section 27A was invoked, for financing. If material is seized from other accused, that cannot be foisted on me," Aryan, through Maneshinde, stated.
NCB Arrests Aryan Khan, Others
Aryan Khan, actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son, was arrested by the NCB during a raid on a cruise ship party on Sunday. A court in Mumbai sent Aryan and two others into NCB’s custody for one day, till 4 October. According to a report in Live Law, the remand copy didn’t specify the amount of drugs seized, and the three accused gave voluntary statements.
NCB’s counsel advocate Advait Sethna said that they seized 13 grams of cocaine, 21 grams of charas, and 22 pills of MDMA among other things.
During the earlier hearing, Aryan Khan’s lawyer Satish Maneshinde said that ‘no contraband’ was found on Aryan.
"I am withdrawing statements (under section 67) made. Anyway, the accused statement is not admissible. He was invited by the organizers of the party. No contraband was found on him, no boarding pass… According to them, there are various chats which implicate him."
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