The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Tuesday adjourned the bail plea filed for actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, who got arrested earlier this month in the cruise drug seizure case, alleging that the 23 year old was not only a drug consumer but was also involved in illegal drug trafficking.
Aryan Khan and Sharukh Khan’s manager tampering proofs
The agency has also claimed that Aryan Khan and a woman named Pooja Dadlani, Shah Rukh Khan’s manager, have been tampering with the proof and witnesses of the case in an attempt to derail the investigation.
On the other hand, Aryan Khan’s advocates submitted to the HC a further note, pointing out that Aryan has no involvement with the allegations and counter allegations which have been circulated among the NCB’s zonal director Sameer Wankhede and a number of political personalities.
NCB filed an affidavit
The NCB on Tuesday filed an affidavit in relation to the bail plea filed by Aryan Khan in the HC.
A single bench of Justice N W Sambre is to be present for hearing of the plea later in the day.
The agency in its affidavit stated that attempts have been made to tamper the investigation with a malafide purpose to derail the probe into the case.
“This is evident from the contents of a purported affidavit of one Prabhakar Sail,” the agency said, referring to the allegations of extortion attempt made by Sail, an independent witness in the case.
The affidavit also referred to Pooja Dadlani and said “this lady appears to have influenced panch witnesses when the investigation is ongoing”.
The NCB claimed that the bail plea was “misconceived and ill-conceived”.
Aryan Khan’s involvement in drug trafficking
It stated the probe into the case revealed Aryan Khan’s involvement in illicit procurement, transportation and consumption of drugs.
The agency stated that prima facie investigations have claimed that Aryan Khan is involved in the procurement of drugs with Arbaaz Merchant, who is also an accused in the case.
“The applicant (Aryan Khan) was in touch with some persons abroad who appear to be part of an international drug network for illicit procurement of drugs,” it said.
The affidavit additionally stated that even though there has been no recovery of drugs from Aryan Khan, he has “participated in the conspiracy”.
“Prima facie investigation has revealed that this applicant is not just a mere consumer of drugs as sought to be made out by him,” it said.
The applicant has not made out any case for expansion of bail, prima facie and/or otherwise, the NCB said.
“The role of this applicant (Aryan Khan) in the commission of grave and serious offences under the NDPS Act including illicit drug trafficking is apparent considering the nexus and connection of this applicant with the other accused in the case,” the affidavit said.
It stated that no possession of drugs have been found from the accused in the case and hence, the case of Aryan Khan cannot be taken in isolation.
“The ingredients of conspiracy are clear and evident,” the affidavit said, adding that in such cases the quantum of recovery of drugs from an individual accused becomes inconsequential.
The NCB additionally stated its probing the case and a charge sheet is to be filed.
It stated the agency wants some time to look at the global linkages to the overseas so that they can approach foreign agencies.
Aryan’s advocates actions
Meanwhile, Aryan Khan’s advocates submitted to the HC a note mentioning that he has not anything to do with the allegations and counter allegations which are being circulated among the NCB’s zonal director Wankhede and sure political personalities.
“The applicant (Aryan Khan) does not make any allegations against any individual in the prosecution department,” the note said.
It similarly stated Aryan Khan has no reference to Prabhakar Sail, an impartial witness withinside the case, who has made allegations of extortion try in opposition to Wankhede and others.
After hearing on the bail application of Aryan Khan, the Bombay High Court adjourned the case for tomorrow.
