Aryan Khan sent to NCB custody till October 7 in Mumbai cruise drug bust case

Aryan Khan. Image source: Instagram

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been granted custody of Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, along with Munmun Dhamecha and Arbaaz Merchant, till October 7.

The NCB had on October 4 sought the custody of Aryan Khan in the Mumbai cruise drug bust case till October 11.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh, appearing for NCB before a Mumbai Court, said that accused Aryan Khan, Arbaz Seth Merchant, and Munmun Dhamecha have been booked under 8C, 20, 27, and 35 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) Act.

According to Bar and Bench, NCB revealed in the case hearing that it had found links in the form of WhatsApp chats that are pointing towards international racket. The agency said that Khan used several code names for payment modes and that his custody is necessary for confrontation with other accused.

"There is incriminating material found through WhatsApp chats with drug peddlers. Raids are going on now. Shocking incriminating material in WhatsApp shows international drug trafficking," ASG said.

Aryan Khan's lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, however, argued that the NCB can't simply rely on WhatsApp chats and seek extended custody. Maneshinde during the hearing said that there is no material on record found from Khan or people related to him.

"My chats, downloads, pictures, nothing indicates any involvement. If there are chats which discuss drugs, those can be seen, it will not indicate any drug trafficking," Maneshinde said on Khan's behalf.

Khan was one among eight people questioned by the NCB after following a raid at a party on a cruise ship off the coast of Mumbai on October 2 by the Narcotics Control Bureau.

Aryan Khan, Arbaz Seth Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha, who were detained in connection with the raid at a party at a cruise off the Mumbai coast, were taken out of the NCB office for medical examination following that.

NCB officials said that different drugs like MDMA, ecstasy, cocaine, MD (mephedrone) and charas were recovered during the raid conducted.