The Mumbai session court which was hearing the bail plea of Aryan Khan in in connection with the seizure of banned drugs on board a cruise ship off Mumbai coast, has reserved the verdict till October 20th. The court will now pronounce its order on Aryan Khan bail plea on October 20th. During the hearing on Wednesday, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) told the court that Aryan Khan was involved in the conspiracy, illicit drug trafficking as well as its procurement and consumption.
Aryan Khan’s lawyer Amit Desai stressed that no drugs were found on him when officers in disguise raided a rave party on the ship. In fact, he was not even on the ship when the raids started, he argued. He also claimed Aryan Khan “had no cash” when he was on the ship, so he could not have bought drugs. The NCB dismissed the argument, saying Aryan Khan used to source his drugs from Arbaaz Merchant.
Aryan Khan to be in jail for at least six more days. Bail order reserved till 20th October.
These (WhatsApp chats) are private moments which are being investigated. You can go ahead and investigate... But this has nothing to with illicit behaviour, Illicit drug trafficking. Context is important when we deal with evidentiary value, submits Desai
"All countries should take drug abuse very seriously, because it is affecting the society, the world. Our department working day and night to find solution to drug abuse. We are dealing with it in a very serious manner. My officers were attacked, beaten, in a different matter. They put their lives in danger and they have been working. This has been affecting the entire society, particularly to youngsters who are college students," Bar and Banch quotes ASG Anil Singh, appearing for the NCB, as saying.
ASG Anil Singh, appearing for the Centre, cites several previous court judgments in similar cases of drug bust, including those of Showik Chakraborty and Toofan Singh.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh also said that the bail shouldn't be granted to Aryan Khan and added that the evidence shows that he (Aryan Khan) is a regular consumer since the last 3 years.
Opposing Aryan Khan's bail plea, NCB says that the offence is grave and if granted bail, the accused may tamper with the evidence.
ASG contends that Aryan Khan is not a first time consumer of contraband, instead he has been taking drugs for past few years.
Hearing on Aryan Khan's bail plea resumes. ASG Anil Singh apologises for the delay.
NDPS special court gave an order online yesterday, stating 27(a) isn't applicable in case (against son-in-law Sameer Khan). Nothing was seized from his house. 27(a) was falsely imposed & bail has been granted: Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik on drugs case against Sameer Khan
We are going to file an application in court. We hope that it will be proved that people were falsely framed: Maharashtra Minister & NCP leader Nawab Malik
The hearing in Aryan Khan's bail plea will begin shortly.
The hearing in Aryan Khan's bail plea has been delayed as ASG Anil Singh is arguing in a separate matter before the Bombay High Court.
Court dismisses intervention application by a social worker.
A social worker has approached the court and wants to be heard as an intervenor. His argument is that Aryan Khan is getting special treatment while bail applications of 2017-18 are pending in courts. He says drug menace in society is a grave issue and needs to be dealt with. Aryan Khan's lawyer opposes his plea.
Additional Solicitor General of India Anil Singh, who is representing NCB, is currently busy in Bombay High Court. The hearing before Sessions court in Aryan Khan bail matter is likely to start only after Singh finishes his High Court commitments, reports Bar and Bench.
Aryan Khan and 5 others shifted to the common cell from quarantine barrack in the jail after their Covid report came negative, says Nitin Waychal superintendent of Arthur Road Jail.
The court hearing on Aryan Khan's bail plea is expected to resume at 12 noon.
Bail pleas of Mohak Jaswal, Aachit Kumar and Nupur Satija to be heard on October 20. Bail please of Arbaaz Merchant, Munmun Dhamecha, Shreyas Iyer and Avin Sahu will be heard today.
The NCB, in its affidavit, claimed that it was prima facie revealed that accused No 1 (Aryan Khan) used to procure contraband from accused No 2 (Arbaaz Merchant) and the sources connected to accused No 2, from whose conscious possession six grams of charas was recovered.
It added that the case of each of the accused cannot be considered individually or separately as prima facie investigation reveals that there is a close link/nexus among all the accused including Aryan Khan for conspiracy to commit offences.
"It is not feasible to dissect or separate each from the other. All ingredients of the crime that are preparation, intention, attempt and commission are present for this applicant (Aryan Khan)," the affidavit said.
Pune police have issued a lookout circular against K P Gosavi, one of the independent witnesses of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in the cruise ship drugs seizure case, in connection with a 2018 cheating case