Ananya Pandey quizzed by NCB on WhatsApp chats with Aryan Khan

Ananya Pandey at the NCB office in Ballard Estate on Thursday. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Actor Ananya Pandey was grilled for more than two hours at the NCB office on Thursday in connection with the cruise drugs bust case based on some WhatsApp chats between her and Aryan Khan. According to sources from the Narcotics Control Bureau, the chats were about some narcotics substances and the duo allegedly used code words as well. The same chats were earlier submitted before the NDPS court, following which Aryan's bail was rejected. NCB officers said that Ananya has again been called at 11 am today for further clarity.

Ananya leaves home for the NCB office on Thursday. Pic/Satej Shinde

An NCB team led by Superintendent Vishwavijay Singh visited Ananya's residence on Thursday and seized some electronic gadgets, which includes mobile phones and laptops. Ananya was later asked to appear before the agency at 2 pm on Thursday itself. However, she reached around 4.15 pm along with her father Chunky Pandey and the duo left the NCB office around 6:30 pm.

According to NCB sources, the WhatsApp chats between Ananya and Aryan are incriminating, they have spoken about some narcotics substances and used code words as well. "We cannot reveal the details of the chats as they are sensitive in nature and incriminating. If we reveal them, it will hamper our probe. We are not satisfied with her statement as of now and she has been called again for further clarity," said an NCB officer. Zonal Director of NCB, Sameer Wankhede confirmed that Ananya has been called again today at 11 am.

Shah Rukh Khan outside Arthur Road jail. Pic/Suresh Karkera

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan visited Arthur Road jail early on Thursday to meet his son. The court has extended the judicial custody of Aryan and the other accused for 14 days. According to sources, as per the prison manual, two from the family are allowed to meet the prisoner. As per jail authorities, the actor arrived around 9:10 am and met Aryan for about 15-20 minutes. "He spoke to him through the intercom and followed all rules," said a prison official.

After the actor reached home, an NCB team visited his residence to collect some documents related to the investigation. "On October 21, a team of the NCB Mumbai Zonal Unit officials visited Mannat, the residence of Aryan Khan, in connection with Cr 94/21 for seeking certain material related to the investigation of the case from Shah Rukh Khan. Due procedure of notice was followed. It wasn't a raid," Wankhede said in a statement to the media.