While rejecting the bail application of Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, the special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court on October 20 noted that there was material in the form of incriminating WhatsApp chats which showed his nexus with drug suppliers and peddlers. Aryan was held by the Narcotics Control Bureau on October 2 on board the Cordelia cruise liner when it set sail from Bombay for Goa, in a drugs case. His friend, Arbaz Merchant, who was also arrested, had drugs on his person. The bail applications of Arbaz and Munmun Dhamecha were likewise rejected by the NDPS court on charges of conspiracy as it transpired that all the three accused were connected in the same thread.
Aryan and other accused were held on October 2, and arrested on October 3 by the NCB. They were sent to NCB custody till October 4, which custody was later extended to October 7. They were sent to judicial custody on October 7. They have been lodged in jail since October 8. Their first bail application was rejected by the magistrate court. A fresh bail plea was then filed in the sessions court.
In its 21-page order, the NDPS court said on October 20 that there was prima facie involvement of the three accused in commission of grave and serious offences and it was, therefore, not a fit case for granting bail. It explained that perusal of his WhatsApp chats showed reference to links with some persons abroad, who appeared to be part of an international drug network, for illicit procurement of prohibited hard drugs in bulk quantity. The court added that although no drug was recovered from Aryan, he had knowledge of charas which was found in his friend, Arbaz’s shoes. The court also said that Aryan had admitted to possessing substance for consumption and enjoyment. It explained that Aryan had knowledge of contraband concealed in Arbaz Merchant’s shoes. It feared that if granted bail, there was every chance of Aryan tampering with evidence.