Aryan Khan Drugs Case Updates: No bail for SRK's son today; Bombay HC to continue hearing tomorrow

Mumbai NCB has summoned Prabhakar Sail, a witness in the drugs on cruise case, for questioning tomorrow. He will be questioned by NCB team reaching Mumbai from Delhi tomorrow, in connection with his allegations of corruption: Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

Also Read: Who is Prabhakar Sail and why Aryan Khan denied all connection with him in High Court?

Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik: CM Uddhav Thackeray informed me that he is concerned about image of Hindi film industry being portrayed in such a negative way. He is going to write letter to PM Modi regarding this. The drug haul cases have maligned film industry image.

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Mukul Rohatgi told India TV, "The court heard the bail plea and will adjourned it for tomorrow. Arbaaz's legal team lawyer Advait Tamhankar is accused Arbaaz Merchantt's lawyer."

Rohatgi argued that Aryan Khan should be given bail. He further said that NCB is keeping umbrella theory regarding conspiracy, but only 6 grams of charas was recovered and in such a situation, the punishment can be only up to 1 year.

Another accused in drugs-on-cruise case, Avin Sahu has been granted bail by NDPS court.

(Rajesh Kumar)

Hearing on bail application of accused Aryan Khan has been adjourned for tomorrow by the Bombay High Court

Amit Desai: See the arrest memo of Arbaaz. Before boarding the cruise, both of them were stopped and searched and some recovery was made. Three accused were arrested and presented in the court the next day. If there was bulk quantity recovered on the first day itself, then why the conspiracy section was not imposed on all the three accused at the same time.

One of the accused got bail from the sessions court in the cruise drugs case. In this case the accused named Manish Rajgaria, accused number 11, was arrested with 2.4 grams of ganja, Manish's lawyer Ajay Dubey told that he was given bail on the bond of 50 thousand.

(Rajesh Kumar)

Amit Desai begins his arguments

I've filed a rejoinder that I'm making no allegation against any NCB Officer. I did this after NCB filed an affidavit on one of Panch's allegations which have blamed Pooja who is connected with me. I am not concerned with all that unsavoury controversy and I have no complaints against anyone from NCB or prosecution. Here we stand and I think that it's a fit case of bail - - Mukul Rohatgi

Mukul Rohatgi finishes his argument.

Mukul Rohatgi reads NCB's reply and says "NCB is saying that an attempt was made to influence the arbitrator and the evidence. I repeat that I (Aryan) have not done anything. I deny all allegations. Yesterday Sameer Wankhede has confessed that there is a conflict between him and a political person. But today they are taking the name of Pooja (SRK's manager) in this matter."

"All these accused were not on cruise. There was a chat several months ago between Aryan and Achit about some online game but it was interpreted differently. All these kids were playing a poker game, this chat is 12 months old. There is nothing beyond that poker communication. There is nothing to show that I was financing illicit trafficking," says Rohatgi.

Mukul Rohatgi, Aryan Khan's lawyer: In this case, there is no harbouring case against my client. They have no proof that he has financed the drugs racket. There is no conspiracy in this case. He is not concerned with any commercial quantity. My client's case is not of consumption or possession. NCB is saying that he had chatted on WhatsApp and was talking about drugs

These are young boys. They can be sent to rehab and they need not undergo trial," argues Aryan Khan's lawyer.

Rohatgi argues, "In this case, the punishment can be up to 1 year only. WhatsApp Chat has nothing to do with this cruise case. They are saying that you used to consume drugs and were in contact with people from abroad. All these things are of trial and have to be proved there." He adds that there is no relation between my client and the other 20 accused except Arbaaz Merchantt.

Rohatgi: Sameer Wankhede had said yesterday that it is happening because of enmity with a political person, but today he is saying that we are also involved in him. I want to repeat that we have nothing to do with him. Kindly keep me away from that controversy. I am making it clear, I have nothing against any NCB officer. I have no grievance.

(Dinesh Mourya)

Rohatgi argues, "the second thing put against me(Aryan), is imp- that many others were found with some amount of drugs so they allege that there was a general conspiracy. They're not charging me with consumption/possession but with conspiracy & conspiracy not with accused 2 (Arbaaz) but others."

Sr. Adv. Rohatgi says, "As for the WhatsApp chats, they were of the time period of 2018. None of the chats are from the cruise. Prateek Gaba called my client and then Arbaaz came along. The recovered WhatsApp chat has nothing to do with the story of this case."

"Accused 1 (Aryan Khan) was arrested on 3rd October. His statement was recorded under NDPS Act Section 67, which was retracted the next day. We have raised this issue in the Supreme Court," says Rohatgi. 

He adds, "As there was no recovery no consumption, I say that I'm (Aryan Khan) arrested wrongly. What is put against me is that accused 2 (Arbaz Merchant) came with me and was having something with him. So I am charged with conscious possession of drugs."

Mukul Rohatgi says, "Aryan Khan is just 23 and returned to India in March/April 2020. He was in California, USA. He was invited to the Cruise party as a guest along with Arbaaz Merchantt. It appears that the NCB had prior information that people will be carrying drugs."

He adds, "There was no recovery on Aryan Khan. Merchant had 6 gms of charas which was recovered from his shoes. There is nothing against my client.

Hearing in Aryan Khan's drug case begins. Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi puts forth arguments for Aryan Khan's bail. "I received a copy of the NCB's reply on the bail plea this afternoon, and I filed a rejoinder," says Rohatgi.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Advocate Maneshinde reach Court. They have appeared for Aryan Khan.

ASG Anil Singh reaches the courtroom. He appears for NCB in drugs on a cruise ship case.

Bombay High Court asked only limited people (those related to cases from matter number 45-55) to remain in court, to decongest the courtroom; asked Police personal to ensure that courtroom is decongested Aryan Khan's bail application matter is serial no.57.

Mukul Rohatgi reaches Bombay High Court

-Rajesh Kumar

Sameer Wankhede leaves NCB Delhi office.

-- Atul Bhatia

An affidavit has been filed in the court on behalf of Aryan Khan, which states that there was no deal with the Narcotics Control Bureau officials from his side, adding that it is a matter between the politicians and NCB.

The affidavit given on behalf of Aryan also mentioned that he does not know Prabhakar Sial nor has any link to it and the allegations that are being made recently have nothing to do with the 23-year-old. Aryan Khan has not levelled any allegation against NCB officials.

'Independent witness' Prabhakar Sail says he has all the proof in his WhatsApp chat. He claims, the chats have the details of where he was called, the money transactions and KP Gosavi's role too. He also alleged that he's being framed and is being defamed.

-- Sandeep Chaudhry

Fans of Shah Rukh Khan have gathered outside High Court to show solidarity with the actor and his son Aryan Khan. The High Court will be hearing Aryan's bail application today.

Narcotics Control Bureau has opposed Aryan Khan's bail application. There is an international drug racket going on & the agency needs time to unearth it. If given bail, Aryan can affect the investigation, influence the witnesses and tamper with the evidence: NCB mentiones in its affidavit. 

There is a further possibility of tampering with the evidence. Also, the possibility of the present applicant fleeing from justice cannot be ruled out. Hence, to maintain the sanctity of the investigation and a prima facie case being made out against this applicant, even on this ground there is no case made for enlargement of bail of the present accused.

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Shah Rukh Khan's car was seen leaving his residence. The actor is expected to meet his son Aryan Khan in Arthur road Jail.

Kranti Redkar Wankhede's post comes after Maharastra minister and senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Nawab Malik levelled some serious allegations against NCB director Sameer Wankhede. She posted their wedding pictures clarifying speculations around their marriage.

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Independent witness Prabhakar Sail has released the chats between him and Kiran Gosavi. Through these chats, Prabhakar is claiming that this chat is of 2,3,4 and 6 October. In the chat of 2nd October, KP Gosavi sent the location of NCB Mumbai office asked Prabhakar to reach there.

Later on 3rd October, he asks to reach Haji Ali. "Complete the task I've given you and come home," the message read.

Sameer Wankhede reaches NCB office. Makes his way to the office through the back gate.

-- Atul Bhatia

A WhatsApp chat between Aryan Khan and Ananya Panday dated July 6, 2019 has surfaced. Here's are some texts exchanged between the two:

Aryan: Ganja
Ananya - It is in demand
Aryan - I will take it from you in a secret way
Ananya - Good

Munmun Dhamecha's lawyer Kaashif Khan Deshmukh informed that the matter is kept for hearing and is expecting to be called out as early as possible. However, there are lesser chances that it will be heard in the first half. "The matter will be mentioned in the second half. Definitely, there is parity in listing," the lawyer said.

In a press conference, Nawab Malik said, "Since 6th October we have raised many questions. From the last two days, many things came in front of people regarding NCB, especially about Sameer Wankhede. Our fight is not with NCB. NCB did a very good job in the last 35 years but one person got the job by doing forgery. When I made revelations, it was alleged that Nawab Malik is revealing personal things."

-- Dinesh Mourya

Sameer Wankhede has responded to Nawab Malik's claims about receiving a letter from an unnamed NCB official. "False and Malacious, New ploy, Will fight and reply," said the NCB officer.

-- Rajiv singh

Nawab Malik on Tuesday conducted a press conference and spoke about Sameer Wankhede and a letter he received from an unnamed NCB official on Tuesday morning. Here are key points from his interaction with the media:

• We were searching for Sameer's documents for one and a half months.
• The birth certificate presented is genuine. Closely looking at it, one can notice that pointers have been added to it by altering it.
• Sameer Wankhede's father married a woman named Zahida.
• He got a job using his father's certificate. While Sameer's father has shown his cast certificate, where is Sameer's cast certificate?
• Many Dalit organisations are talking about this, will file a complaint in front of the scrutiny committee regarding Sameer's certificate
• A letter was sent by an official of NCB which has also been given to CM, DG and Home Minister.
• This letter will be sent for to DG vigilance... 26 things are mentioned in this letter which should be investigated

--Dinesh Mourya

Sameer Wankhede likely to reach the NCB office in Delhi at 11 AM today.

-- Atul Bhatia

Mukul Rohatgi, Former Attorney General of India, will appear for Aryan Khan today after a special court denied him bail last week. Justice Nitin Sambre to hear the matter.

--Rajesh Kumar

On Tuesday morning Nawab Malik posted a photo on Twitter claiming he has received a letter from an NCB officer. He promised to share the contents of the envelope soon. "Envelope of the letter received by me from an unnamed NCB official. Contents of which I will be releasing soon on Twitter," he tweeted.

"My husband is being targeted for trying to clear the mess of drug use from the society,"  Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede's wife Kranti Redkar told India TV. In an exclusive interaction, Redkar stated that Wankhede's track record is impeccable and is open for all to see. "No one has ever raised any question over Sameer's integrity," she said. 

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The NCB has ordered a vigilance inquiry into the claims made by a witness in the cruise drugs case of an extortion bid of Rs 25 crore by some agency officials, including its Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede, and others for letting off accused Aryan Khan, son of actor Shah Rukh Khan. The NCB vigilance inquiry will be conducted by Gyaneshwar Singh, the agency's deputy director general (DDG) of northern region.

NCB Zonal officer, Sameer Wankhede wrote to Mumbai police commissioner Hemant Nagrale seeking protection from likely legal action "being planned" against him by unknown persons to falsely frame him concerning an alleged vigilance related issue. Without taking names, Wankhede claimed that the threat of jail and dismissal have been issued against him on public media by highly respectable public functionaries.

Late on Monday evening, NCB Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede reached Delhi amid allegation of payoff in the drugs case involving actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan. "I have not been summoned. I've come here for a different purpose. Allegations against me are baseless," he said.

A senior NCB official denied extortion allegations, terming them as "completely false and malicious". The NCB, while stating that Sameer Wankhede has categorically denied the allegations, also said that as the matter is sub judice, Sail should have submitted his prayer to the court if he had anything to say.

Mumbai NCB's Deputy Director General (DDG) Mutha Ashok Jain issued a statement saying that he came to know through social media that Sail is a witness in the case.

An 'independent witness' has claimed that Rs 25 crore was demanded by an official of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and other persons, including absconding witness KP Gosavi, to let off Aryan Khan.

Prabhakar Sail, the 'independent witness', told media persons that he had overheard Gosavi telling one Sam D'Souza over the phone after Aryan Khan was brought to the NCB office after the October 3 raid about a demand of Rs 25 crore and "to settle at Rs 18 crore as they have to give Rs eight crore to Sameer Wankhede", the zonal director of NCB. He also claimed NCB officials had asked him to sign nine to ten blank papers.

Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has moved High Court after a special court rejected his application for bail. The HC will hear his bail plea on October 26. The 23- year-old is currently logged in Arthur Road Jail, Mumbai. In his plea in the Bombay High Court he has said the NCB was "misinterpreting" his WhatsApp chats to implicate him in the case of seizure of banned drugs aboard a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast earlier this month.

Aryan also claimed no contraband was recovered from him after the NCB raided the ship and maintained he has no connection with any of the other accused in the case except Arbaaz Merchant and Aachit Kumar.