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Breaking: Bombay High Court To Hear Aryan Khan's Bail Plea In Cruise Ship Drug Case On Tuesday
Sharmeen Hakim
21 Oct 2021 10:46 AM IST
The Bombay High Court has decided to hear Aryan Khan's bail application in the cruise drug ship case on Tuesday, October 26. The request for hearing of the matter via video conferencing has however been declined. Khan has moved the High Court following rejection of bail by the Special NDPS Court. Khan's counsel, Satish Maneshinde today mentioned the bail application before Justice...
The Bombay High Court has decided to hear Aryan Khan's bail application in the cruise drug ship case on Tuesday, October 26. The request for hearing of the matter via video conferencing has however been declined.
Khan has moved the High Court following rejection of bail by the Special NDPS Court.
Khan's counsel, Satish Maneshinde today mentioned the bail application before Justice NW Sambre.
"This is a matter where there is no possession, no evidence at all," he said while urging the Court to grant an early date of hearing.
He informed the Bench that a copy of the bail plea has been served on the NCB electronically. "I will give a physical copy as well," the counsel added.
The Narcotics Control Bureau had arrested Khan, his friend Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha on October 3, following a raid at the international departure terminal of a Goa-bound cruise the previous day.
A special NDPS Court of Judge V V Patil yesterday rejected their bail pleas, stating that a prima facie case of conspiracy and illicit drug trade is made out.
The Bombay High Court has also agreed to hear Munmun Dhamecha's bail plea on the same day.
Reply, if any, may be filed by Monday, the High Court said.
The Special judge had observed that WhatsApp chats prima facie reveal that accused Aryan Khan is dealing in illicit drug activities for narcotic substances on regular basis. The court further observed that material placed on record reveals nexus of the accused no 1 (Aryan Khab) with suppliers and peddlers.
The court added that there was a mention of bulk quantity of drugs in the WhatsApp chats, prima facie material showing that Khan was in contact with persons dealing in prohibited narcotic substances as alleged by the prosecution. It relied on Khan's voluntary statements under section 67 of the NDPS Act in which they have allegedly said that contraband with Arbaaz Merchant was for their consumption and enjoyment.
NCB has claimed that Khan was a regular consumer of drugs, and the contraband found on Merchant was for both of them to have a "blast" on the cruise. The agency also claimed that prima facie Khan has a role in illicit procurement and distribution of contraband and his chats indicate an international link.
