Aryan Khan Drug Case Updates: Bollywood rejoices as SRK's son gets bail after three weeks in jail

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

No drugs found on Munmun Dhamecha, says lawyer

Munmun Dhamecha’s lawyer told India Today, “No drugs were found on Munmun. I don’t know why she was being tortured in the case and her image was tarnished.”

Dhamecha was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on Thursday.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

We waited for 34,560 minutes for this moment: Aslam Merchant

“We’ve been waiting for this moment for 34,560 minutes. My wife was counting minutes not days. These children have been traumatized,” said Aslam Merchant, father of Arbaaz Merchant who was granted bail in drugs-on-cruise case by Bombay High Court on Thursday.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Bombay HC posted Aryan’s bail order for tomorrow

A single bench of Justice NW Sambre also granted bail to co-accused Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha. “All three pleas are allowed. I will pass detailed orders by tomorrow evening,” Justice Sambre said.

Aryan Khan’s advocates then sought permission to submit cash bail to which the court refused and said surety is to be given. “I could have given the order also tomorrow. But I gave it today,” Sambre said.

The legal team of the 23-year-old Aryan Khan, who is presently in judicial custody and lodged at the Arthur Road prison in central Mumbai, will now try to complete the formalities for his release by Friday.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Bombay HC posted Aryan’s bail order for tomorrow

A single bench of Justice NW Sambre also granted bail to co-accused Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha. “All three pleas are allowed. I will pass detailed orders by tomorrow evening,” Justice Sambre said.

Aryan Khan’s advocates then sought permission to submit cash bail to which the court refused and said surety is to be given. “I could have given the order also tomorrow. But I gave it today,” Sambre said.

The legal team of the 23-year-old Aryan Khan, who is presently in judicial custody and lodged at the Arthur Road prison in central Mumbai, will now try to complete the formalities for his release by Friday.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Aryan Khan, two co-accused in Mumbai drugs case granted bail

The Bombay High Court on Thursday granted bail to Aryan Khan and co-accused Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha in plea against rejection of their bail applications by a special NDPS court in the Cordelia cruise drug bust case.

Operative part of the order will be made available by Friday with reasoned order. The accused will not be released from jail tonight.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Aryan Khan gets bails in drugs case after three weeks

Bombay High Court allows bail to Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha. The court will pronounce detailed order with reasons tomorrow.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

No material for calling purpose conspiracy: Aryan Khan’s counsel

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi representing applicant Aryan Khan to counter NCB’s response said response. “There were 1,300 people on cruise. I did not know anybody else except Arbaaz and Aachit. Their (NCB’s) case is – it is not coincidence and therefore it is conspiracy. Conspiracy is meeting of the minds. It cannot be based on coincidence. You (NCB) failed to prove meeting of minds with these eight people and therefore called them independently.”

“If there are people in a hotel in different rooms and they smoke, are all people in hotel in conspiracy? There is no material for calling it a conspiracy in this case,” Rohatgi added.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Bail not a rule in NDPS offences, custody is

Anil Singh says first remand was made four hours after the arrest. Sections 28 and 29 were added to the remand application then. Referring to the seizure panchama, Singh added, “Aryan Khan had said in panchnama that contraband found on Arbaaz was meant for smoking during cruise journey. They say they are going inside to have a blast. Bail is not a rule in NDPS case. The question of admissibility of statement under Section 67 or CrPC will apply only at the time of trial and not at the stage of bail hearing.”

ASG says "bail is not a rule" in NDPS cases. Refers to a judgment to say bail can be denied if a prima facie case is there.#BombayHighCourt #AryanKhanCase #NCB #NDPS

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 28, 2021

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

WhatsApp chat shows Aryan attempted to deal with commercial quantity: NCB

Arguing on behalf of NCB, ASG Anil Singh said the WhatsApp chat implied that applicant Aryan Khan attempted to deal with commercial quantity.

“Even if he may not be found in physical possession, but accused Arbaaz was. Arbaaz is Aryan’s childhood friend. He had visited Aryan’s house and they went to international cruise terminal together where they were apprehended. Total eight persons, out of 11, were apprehended based on the secret note. When we apprehended them, multiple drugs were found from them.”

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Only Arbaaz found in ‘physical’ possession of drugs but, Aryan was aware of it: NCB

Referring to the contention of applicant Aryan Khan that his friend Arbaaz Merchant was found in possession of drugs, and not him, ASG Anil Singh said, “My response is, though it was physically found with Arbaaz, Aryan had knowledge and he was aware of it. T̉herefore there was a conscious possession. Even if a mere attempt is made, charges can be applicable.”

ASG refers to the seizure panchnama. "He (#AryanKhan) said there(in the panchnama) that contraband found from Arbaaz was meant for smoke during the cruise journey.#BombayHighCourt #AryanKhanCase #NCB #NDPS

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) October 28, 2021

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Accused Aryan found in conscious possession of contraband: NCB

Putting forth NCB’s arguments, ASG Singh also said: “There is a case that person might not have consumed the drug but if he’s in possession of it can be booked under NDPS Act. Even conscious possession. Arbaaz is his childhood friend. He had gone to the house of Aryan. Both travelled from house of Aryan in the car till the international cruise terminal where they were intercepted. They were to stay in same room had they boarded the cruise. Accused Aryan was found in conscious possession of contraband.”

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Aryan not a first-hand consumer but regular consumer since last 2 years: NCB

NCB’s counsel ASG Anil Singh, opposing Aryan’s bail plea, in Bombay High Court said, “Applicant Aryan Khan is not a first-hand consumer. He is regular consumer since last two years as per records.”

Singh further added, “The records which are relied upon – one is secret note on information of drugs regarding 11-12 persons going on cruise. Out of 11, eight were apprehended. Voluntary panchanama, voluntary statement, mobile phone and WhatsApp chats on digital device, these are records even produced before special court. Aachit (accused no 17) is a drug peddler and he was apprehended later and not on cruise. My contention is that applicant having dealt with or even if attempts to deal with, then section 28 squarely applies and if he’s is a part of conspiracy, then section 29 applies. So, the person who is not actually found in possession of drug but there was an attempt to deal with commercial quantity, is a part of conspiracy which relates commercial quantity.”

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Aryan Khan regular consumer of drugs: NCB tells Bombay HC

Hearing in bail applications of Aryan Khan and others began at Bombay High Court. ASG Anil Singh representing NCB said: “Aryan Khan is a regular consumer of drugs. There is evidence to prove that he has been providing drugs.”

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Not a drug peddler but, zonal incharge: Sameer Wankhede tells Bombay HC

“I am not a drug peddler, I’am a Zonal Director. Give the probe to CBI or NIA but stop the vilification. The section specifically requires protection of a Central government officer. The law requires the court to step in and protect me if my rights are likely to be violated. They may arrest me today” said Wankhede’s lawyer on his behalf.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Sameer Wankhede moves Bombay HC, seeks CBI probe

NCB’s Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede has filed a petition before the Bombay High Court for directions and relief against the probe into him in the alleged pay-off case, stating that investigation against him, if any, should be done by Central Bureau of Investigation.

Aryan Khan Drug Case LATEST Updates

Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing on behalf of Aryan Khan, reaches court

Former AG Mukul Rohatgi, who is representing Aryan Khan in drugs-on cruise ship case, arrived at Bombay High Court on Thursday. The hearing on Aryan’s bail application will resume shortly.

Sameer Wankhede not the investigating officer in Aryan Khan case, says NCB Dy DG

Deputy Director-General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Gyaneshwar Singh told India Today, “Let me clarify that Sameer Wankhede is not the investigating officer. He was supervising the case. There is the DDG above him and the DG is above the DDG. So in that chain, he is supervising. VV Singh is the investigating officer. After we submit our report, on the basis of that, DG will decide the next course of action.”

Mumbai Police summons BJP worker who tipped NCB about cruise drugs party, reports India Today

Manish Bhanusali, a BJP worker who informed the NCB about the drugs party and was a key witness during the raids in which Aryan Khan and others were arrested, has been called for questioning by the Mumbai Police, India Today has reported..

This is the first summons issued by the Mumbai Police based on the complaint by witness Prabhakar Sail, who alleged that NCB officers had asked for Rs 25 crore payoff to release Aryan Khan.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

SRK’s son’s bail hearing posted as case no 39 in Justice Sambre’s court

The hearing is likely to begin after 2.30. Justice Sambre is now hearing Item no 35. Meanwhile, all lawyers have reached the courtroom and are awaiting their turn. The prosecution is expected to present its case today, while the defece lawyers will be given a chance for rebuttal. The defence had already completed their arguments yesterday. The court had said that it would try to finish the matter in today’s hearing.

NCB being used to ‘defame, harass’ people, says Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil

Maharashtra minister and NCP state chief Jayant Patil on Thursday claimed that the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was being used to “harass and defame” citizens. Speaking to reporters in Ratnagiri, he also said that party leader and state minister Nawab Malik, who has levelled various allegations against NCB’s Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede, was “bringing out the truth”.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

What NCB said in HC opposing Aryan’s bail in drugs case?

The NCB said prima facie investigation has revealed that Aryan Khan used to procure drugs from his friend Arbaaz Merchant, also an accused in the drugs case. “The applicant (Aryan Khan) was in touch with some persons abroad who appear to be part of an international drug network for illicit procurement of drugs,” it said in front of HC judge Justice Nitin Sambre.

Sameer Wankhede’s sister files police complaint against Maha minister Nawab Malik

Yasmeen Wankhede, the sister of Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede, has filed a police complaint here seeking registration of an FIR against Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik for allegedly defaming her, an official said on Thursday.  Sameer Wankhede is in the eye of a political storm following allegations of extortion in the high-profile cruise drugs case in which actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan was arrested. The officer is facing the departmental vigilance probe.

Sameer Wankhede’s wife seeks time to meet Uddhavv Thackeray

Marathi actress Kranti Redkar, the wife of Narcotics Control Bureau cop Sameer Wankhede who is the man leading investigation in the drugs-on-cruise case involving Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, has written an open letter to Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray seeking justice for her family as allegations of bribery against her husband surface among other claims.

Pune Police formally arrests Gosavi

On Thursday, Pune Commissioner of Police Amitabh Gupta said they have arrested Gosavi in connection with the 2018 cheating case registered against him. Gosavi was arrested from a lodge in Katraj area here by the Pune police at 3 am, and he will produced in a court following the due procedure, Gupta said in a press conference. 

“There was a case of cheating in Pune city in 2018 in which Gosavi was the main accused,” the official said. A charge sheet in the case was filed in 2019, he said. “Though Gosavi had earlier spoken about surrendering, he never did so,” Gupta said.

He used to stay in hotels in the name of Sachin Patil, while claiming that he was working with an organisation, the official said. Gosavi was apparently present during the cruise ship raid and was seen at the NCB office when Aryan Khan was taken there. His selfies and videos with Aryan Khan have appeared on social media. He has been called an “independent witness” by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), which is probing the drugs case in which nearly 20 people were arrested

The Pune police had earlier arrested Gosavi’s assistant Sherbano Kureshi in connection with the cheating case, filed by one Chinmay Deshmukh who had alleged that Gosavi cheated him of Rs 3.09 lakh under the pretext of providing him a job in Malaysia in the hotel industry. Kureshi had received the money in her account.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

NCB court judge says Aryan’s case ‘different’, explains why two others held from cruise got bail

A special NDPS Act court in Mumbai on Tuesday granted bail to two persons – Manish Rajgaria and Avin Sahu – arrested in Cordelia cruise drugs bust case in which Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, is one of the accused. The role attributed to Rajgaria and Sahu was different from that attributed to Aryan, special judge for cases under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act VV Patil said.

The court order explained that there was no prima-facie material that they (Rajgaria and Sahu) were part of any larger network and their case can be distinguished from that of others against whom there was evidence of conspiracy. Rajgaria and Sahu became the first accused in this high profile case to get bail. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had claimed that the two were among the “guests" on the cruise ship where narcotic drugs were recovered off the Mumbai coast on 2 October.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

Palghar man says his profile misused to create fake identity in alleged NCB pay-off

Palghar resident has raised a complaint with the police saying his identity, photos and social media profiles were misused to wrongly portray him as the mysterious witness ‘Sam D’Souza’ in the Mumbai cruise drugs case. Hanik Bafna (35) has clarified that his profile picture and details were misused to create the fake identity.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

Hrithik Roshan backs Aryan Khan once again

Hrithik Roshan, who had earlier penned an open letter for Aryan Khan, shared a video on his Instagram handle in which a lawyer gave his opinion on the ongoing Aryan Khan’s drug case, Hrithik wrote, ‘If these are facts. It is truly sad’. In the video, Supreme Court advocate Dushyant Dave pointed out the fact that Justice Nitim Sambre, who is hearing the case, has previously allowed bail to men who have been found in possession of drugs.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

NCB witness Kiran Gosavi arrested by Maharashtra cops in 2018 case

The Pune city police have ‘nabbed’ Kiran Gosavi, the self-styled detective cited as an “independent witness” by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the drugs-on-cruise case involving Aryan Khan, in connection with a cheating case lodged in 2018.

Gosavi had gone incommunicado soon after his selfie with Aryan Khan went viral on social media and questions were raised about his conduct during the drugs bust. He was reportedly travelling in Uttar Pradesh and had also expressed his intentions to surrender before UP Police.

However, on Wednesday, he travelled to Pune and had told a news channel that he would be appearing before NCB officers who are conducting an internal inquiry against Sameer Wankhede in Mumbai, following which he planned to surrender to Pune Police. 

The Pune Police, however, has clarified that Gosavi did not surrender but was ’nabbed’ by them.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

NCB witness Gosavi detained by Pune police in cheating case

Pune police have detained Kiran Gosavi, an independent witness of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the drugs-on-cruise case, in connection with a 2018 cheating case registered against him here in Maharashtra, officials said on Thursday. 

Gosavi, said to be a “private investigator” whose photos and videos with actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan went viral on social media after the NCB’s raid on the cruise ship off Mumbai coast on October 2, had been absconding. 

Recently, another witness in the drugs case, Prabhakar Sail, told media persons that he had overheard Gosavi telling one Sam D’Souza over the phone, after Aryan Khan was brought to the NCB office following the October 2 raid on the cruise ship, about a demand of Rs 25 crore and “to settle at Rs 18 crore as they have to give Rs eight crore to Sameer Wankhede”. On Monday, Gosavi had refuted the extortion claims made by Sail, and said he will surrender before Lucknow police.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

Final word on Aryan Khan’s bail expected today

The Bombay High Court, which has been hearing the matter regularly since Tuesday, is expected to finally give a verdict today. Justice NW Sambre, who is hearing the matter, on Wednesday said that he will try to finish the matter by today. 

On Wednesday Aryan Khan’s counsel Mukul Rohatgi, co-accused Arbaaz Merchant’s lawyer Amit Desai and advocate Ali Kaashif Khan Deshmukh who appeared for Munmun Dhamecha completed their arguments.

After the hearing which went on for over two hours, Justice Sambre said he would hear Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, who is representing the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), on Thursday.

Aryan Khan Bail Hearing Latest Update

Bombay HC to resume hearing today; Pune Police nabs NCB witness Gosavi

The Bombay High Court will continue hearing the bail plea of Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan who has been arrested in a drugs case, on Thursday when the NCB will present its arguments. Justice NW Sambre began hearing the bail application on Tuesday.