NO BAIL: Aryan Khan sent to NCB custody till October 7, more arrests expected

MUMBAI: Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan will have to spend another 3 nights in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau.

A special NDPS court at the Mumbai Esplanade Court complex sent Aryan Khan, Arbaz Seth Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha to NCB custody till October 7. ALSO READ: Aryan Khan doing drugs for last 4 years, was in touch with several peddlers

The trio have been denied bail and in spite of the arguments of the lawyers, the NCB police remand of the three accused was increased by 3 days. ALSO READ: Aryan Khan spent Rs 10 lakh per month on drugs, got pocket money of Rs 5 lakh?

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials told the concerned court where Shah Rukh Khan’s son was produced for remand, that the youngster was negotiating bulk purchase of drugs. ALSO READ: Aryan Khan was negotiating bulk purchase of drugs on WhatsApp

Aryan Khan’s WhatsApp messages have revealed that he was chatting with various drug peddlers across the country and was discussing the rates and technical terms for bulk purchase of different types of drugs. ALSO READ: Drug peddler from Siolim, Goa alleges Aryaan Khan and ‘friend’ were to pick up more drugs from Goa

Aryan Khan’s lawyer Satish Maneshinde, said nothing had been seized from his client during the raid. He said his client’s Whatsapp’s chat was downloaded, and that the agency (NCB) was saying there are some transactions that link him to an international drug racket, but Aryan was only studying abroad and in the entire period had not been involved in any supply or possession. “Nothing in my chats will indicate international drug deals,” his lawyer said adding that provisions of sec 8c, 20b, 27, 29, 29 cannot be considered as an embargo against his bail application. ALSO READ: More arrests expected as peddlers from Siolim, Anjuna, Arpora and Calangute on NCB radar

Meanwhile, the NCB sought custody of the three accused till October 11. The NCB said an in-depth investigation into the case was required adding that a nexus with suppliers and peddlers was evident from the WhatsApp chats of the accused.

More arrests are expected as the NCB searched the cruise ship Cordelia The Empress upon its return to port today.

Additional packets of drugs were found hidden on the ship. The NCB is investigating how these drugs got on the ship and the main persons responsible for getting the drugs on the ship. With the new seizures, the quantity of contraband seized has increased and it may no longer be considered as small quantity, NCB sources said.