Mumbai cruise drugs party raid: Aryan Khan, 2 others remanded to NCB custody till October 4

Aryan Khan leaving for Killa Court. Pic/Pallav Paliwal

A Mumbai Court, on Sunday, granted a one day (till October 4) NCB custody to three of the eight accused produced before the court in the cruise drugs party raid case.

The NCB had demanded custody of the accused till October 5 based on "incriminating evidences" which includes WhatsApp chats between Khan and other co-accused. The anti-drug agency had affirmed that they have ample evidence to prove that Khan is connected to the other accused.

However, Aryan Khan's lawyer, Satish Maneshinde while arguing the case, told the court that Khan was only a guest at the party and no contraband was found on him. He added that Khan did not even have the boarding pass as he was a special invitee. He just boarded the ship and was seen with friends. He was subsequently detained by NCB and his mobile phone confiscated. Maneshinde also argued that except WhatsApp messages, nothing was found on him.

Shinde had, therefore, demaded one day custody of Aryan Khan.

"Although, the sections under which he (Aryan) has been booked are bailable offences. I am willing to settle for one-day NCB custody so that we can file for bail before the regular court," he said.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Sunday had arrested actor Shah Rukh Khan's 23-year-old son Aryan Khan for purchase and consumption of illegal drugs. The anti-drug agency on Saturday had raided a party in a cruise ship in Mumbai and detained eight accused including Aryan Khan.

The Saturday raid has yielded 13 gram of Cocaine, 5 gram of MD, 21 grams of Charas and 22 pills of MDMA and 1.33 lakhs in cash informed NCB.

NCB sources also revealed that co-accused Arbaaz Merchant had hidden drugs in his shoes to escape security check. The anti-drug agency has also come across WhatsApp exchanges between Aryan Khan and Arbaaz Merchant.

During the operation, the suspects were searched and different drugs were recovered from them, which they had hidden in their clothes, undergarments and purses, an NCB official told news agency PTI.

Shortly before the news of Aryan Khan's arrest was confirmed, Shah Rukh Khan was seen leaving his home for his lawyer's office.

(With agency inputs)