Aryan Khan Arrested: NCB questions SRK's driver; Video of cruise raid accessed

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday criticised NCP for politicising the Mumbai drug bust. "One NCP associate son was released later after being found clean so we do not want to bring their name because we think politicising this matter is wrong and we should be united in the fight against drug menace," he said.

Shah Rukh Khan's driver has left the NCB office hours after he was called by the agency for interrogation in relation to the Mumbai cruise drug bust case in which Aryan Khan has been arrested.

In the latest development in the Mumbai cruise drug bust probe, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) summoned Bollywood producer Imtiyaz Khatri once again on Monday. This development comes hours after the anti-drug agency conducted raids at the residence and office of Khatri in the city's Bandra area following which the Bollywood producer was questioned for over seven hours.

Read full story HERE.

An important link to Arbaaz has been intercepted by the NCB. He used to supply charas to Arbaaz Merchant. He was arrested from Mumbai's Khar west area.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has summoned film producer Imtiaz Khatri in the Mumbai drug bust case, in which Aryan Khan has been arrested.,

In the Mumbai cruise drug bust case, Aachit Kumar has been sent to Judicial custody as NCB doesn't seek further custody. Drug peddler Aachit Kumar who was earlier apprehended from the Powai area of Mumbai was taken for the medical test on Saturday.

Amid the ongoing court hearings, shocking revelations, and the arrest of Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in the Mumbai cruise ship drugs case, Republic Media Network on Saturday accessed a video of the NCB's drugs raid. The video shows packaged materials being pulled out of what appear to be sanitary pads.  

Read Full Story HERE.

Republic Media Network has accessed the first video of the Narcotics Control Bureau's raid from Cordelia cruise. Some substances, reportedly drugs, were seized from sanitary pads.

Republic Media Network has accessed the exclusive video of NCB's drug bust on Cordelia cruise. In the clip, some substances, reportedly drugs, were seized from sanitary pads.

Shah Rukh Khan's driver has been summoned by the NCB for questioning in the Mumbai drug bust case in which Aryan Khan was arrested.

The Narcotics Control Bureau has summoned Shah Rukh Khan's driver in the Mumbai drug bust case.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has alleged in its panchnama that Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan wanted to consume Charas and had brought it along with his friend and co-accused Arbaaz A Merchant on board the Cordelia Cruise ship from where he was arrested. Read Full Story HERE.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Saturday conducted a new briefing on the Mumbai Cruise Drug bust and added gave details of the case. After providing information on how many accused were arrested the NCB mentioned that 'none of the accused arrested was ill treated'. Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan has been sent to 14-day judicial custody in the cruise drug bust case.

While clarifying that the raids and cases raised by the NCB were with credible information that the drug controller followed legal procedure, the news briefing by NCB also mentioned that the allegations against them were baseless. Earlier, NCP leader Nawab Malik had launched series of allegations against NCB after Shahrukh Khan's son Aryan Khan was arrested by the authority. 

While adding that the claims made by NCB were not baseless, the drug controller added that they had received credible information to conduct the raids and go on with the procedure in the Mumbai Cruise Drug Bust case. 

Watch live:

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) addressed the media on Saturday and talked about the Mumbai Drug bust case. The drug controller gave details of the case. Watch live here:

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is all set to address the media over Mumbai's Cruise ship drug case which has seen the high-profile arrest of several including Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan who is currently lodged at Arthur Road Jail.

Watch live updates here:

Drug peddler Aachit Kumar who was earlier apprehended from the Powai area of Mumbai was taken for the medical test today and later taken to the court. Significantly, Kumar had allegedly named Bollywood producer Imtiyaz Khatri during questioning. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Saturday conducted raids at the residence and office of film producer Imtiyaz Khatri in Mumbai's Bandra area and later summoned the accused for questioning. He will remain under the NCB scanner. 

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Saturday conducted raids at the residence and office of film producer Imtiyaz Khatri in Mumbai's Bandra area and later summoned the accused for questioning. Several questions have been raised against Khatri as he was also involved in the SSR drug case. These raids are in connection with the Cruise ship drug case which has seen the high-profile arrest of several including Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan who is currently lodged at Arthur Road Jail.

In an exclusive interview to Republic, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede informed that it has filed 94 cases in connection with the seizure of narcotics, and 12 such cases had been filed in Goa. Speaking about the Mumbai cruise case and the arrest of Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan, the NCB official refrained from detailing the investigation given that the matter was sub-judice. 

After Bandra, and Powai the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested another drug peddler from Mumbai's Santa Cruz area on Friday night. The raids are being carried with links to the major Mumbai cruise drug case. Importantly, the recent accused has alleged links with Arbaaz Merchant and Aryan Khan who are currently under judicial custody. 

Further details shall follow.

Earlier summoned by the NCB, Bollywood produces Imtiyaz Khatri has reached the drug controller department's office for questioning. After his residence, the accused producer's properties were also raided by the NCB on Friday. Khatri is also a suspect in the SSR drug case. His statement will be recorded by the NCB. 

In the latest development to the Cruise ship drug bust case, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is currently searching the residence and office of film producer Imtiyaz Khatri in the Bandra area of Mumbai. More details on the raids are awaited. 

Imtiyaz Khatri has been summoned by the NCB. He has been asked to appear before the agency at 12.30 PM. The NCB has not recovered any drugs from his residence during the raids. The producer is also a suspect in the SSR drug case. His statement will be recorded by the NCB. 

Speaking to the media on Mumbai's cruise drug bust case, NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede said, "Our case is very strong. We will investigate in a more efficient way, and make efforts so that the case reaches a logical conclusion."

6:00 am: The jail officials wake the prisoners up.

7:00 am: Breakfast- Sheera poha is served. 

11:00 am: Lunch- Chapati, rice sabzi, and dal is served. 

After lunch, prisoners are allowed to roam but in the case of Aryan Khan and others, they won't be allowed outside until the quarantine period of 5 days is over. 

If Aryan Khan and others want extra food from the canteen charges have to be paid. The money can come through money order. 

6:00 pm: Dinner - Chapati, rice sabzi, and dal is served. (Many of the prisoners have food by 8, they keep the plate with themselves.)

Sources told Republic Media Network that Shah Rukh Khan's son and other accused in the case will not have to wear the jail uniform for now. 

Bail application to be filed on Monday as tomorrow is the second Saturday and the regular court will not be functional. The legal team will, however,  try to apply before the vacation bench for an urgent hearing. 

Two women accused, prior to the commencement of the hearing, were sent to Byculla jail while six men accused were sent to the Arthur road jail and will be lodged there until they receive bail from the Sessions court. 

According to jail protocol, the accused will be given 750 gms of food, which includes chappati, sabzi, rice, and sweet. If he would want something else, he will have to pay charges and get it from the canteen. There is no special treatment being given to Aryan Khan, as per sources. 

After considering the arguments of all sides, the court rejected the bail plea of Aryan Khan and 2 others accused in the cruise drug bust case, citing that the plea was 'not maintainable'. The court directed all the accused to move sessions court for regular bail.

 ASG Anil Singh representing NCB, further argued, "The case is that 17 persons were arrested after a raid carried on Saturday. Whatsapp chat we retrieved. They are referring to football, which means it's a bulk quantity of drugs. The Whatsapp chat between Aachit and Aryan refers to bulk quantify of drugs and not football as they wanted to portray."

"The WhatsApp chat, the circumstances under which the incident came into the light is not a coincidence. Aryan and Arbaaz assembled at Aryan’s residence, they went into the same car. This cannot be a coincidence. We have arrested organizers, suppliers, Aachit, and now the connection to each other is that they are regular consumers of contraband. This cannot be a coincidence," argues ASG Anil Singh. 

He added, There are sufficient materials in the form of WhatsApp chat that clearly shows the involvement of the accused in the conspiracy."

"If there is no bar under the act, then the magistrate court can hear the matter but if specific sections invoked, then the magistrate has no option but to send the matter to the special designated court," argues ASG, pressing the need for the bail plea to be heard by the Sessions court. 

After hearing the arguments of the lawyers of the accused, ASG Anil Singh who is representing NCB, said "Everyone argued as if we are opposing their right to claim bail. I am opposing the right to claim bail in this court.I again submit that this application either is for regular bail or interim bail is not maintainable before this court."

He added, "The question of law is important before the state of law. The accused arrested are triable before the sessions court."

Sources informed Republic Media Network that Aryan Khan and 5 other accused in the cruise drug bust case have been kept in barrack number 1, which is the special quarantine barrack. This is on the first floor of the jail. Aryan is being given no special treatment and is being treated like any other prisoner.  According to jail protocol, Aryan Khan will be given 750 gms of food, which includes chappati, sabzi, rice, and sweet. If he would want something else, he will have to pay charges and get it from the canteen.

Till now, there is no special request made by him. 

Munmun Dhamecha's lawyer begins to argue by maintaining that nothing was recovered from here. "There were three persons in the room, Baldev, Soumya, and Munmun and nothing was recovered from Munmun. The offense against her is involving 5gram, a small quantity, and as far as the nexus is concerned, they failed to prove Munumun's connection with the other persons.

Arbaaz Merchant's lawyer during the proceedings pleaded for bail with conditions. He said, "This court's role is not limited to remanding the accused. The court is supposed to analyze the evidence and the court has the power to even discharge Arbaaz, if no evidence is found.

Arbaaz Merchant's lawyer begins to argue. "There is nothing to connect me with the co-accused, I've allegedly found with 6 gm's of charas. In the panchnama they have said "I am going to have a blast," with 6gms of Charas

Sources say Aryan Khan along with other accused of cruise drug bust case has been kept in the quarantine cell of the Arthur jail. They will be staying there for the next 2-3 days. 

Advocate Advait Sethna appearing for the NCB asked the court to grant three days of police custody of Abdul Shaikh, from whom revelations during the questioning, Nigerian National (18th accused) was arrested. 

"From the investigation, it is revealed that he is a part of ecstasy drug trafficking. So I am praying for three days custody till 11th of October," says  Adv Advait Sethna for NCB. 

"Recovery is of commercial quantity. Recovery of this person has come from the lead and not from.the investigation. Abdul Sheikh revealed his name (Nigerian National). On the basis of lead, there is progress in the investigation on regular basis. And we have arrested this person with commercial quantity and the source is Abdul Sheikh. All persons are active and connected with each other," added  Adv Advait Sethna for NCB. 

A Nigerian national (18th accused) will be produced before the court once hearing resumes. He has been apprehended with 40 tablets of commercial quantity of Ecstasy, as per sources. NCB has sought his 3-days custody, till October 11.

Munmun Dhamecha and Nupur have been taken to Byculla jail. The other six accused have been lodged at Arthur Road jail.

ASG requests to continue hearing post lunch. Court to resume hearing at 2.45 PM. 

Maneshinde reads another judgement, stresses that Aryan Khan's statement recorded under section 67 of the NDPS Act cannot alone be used to deny him bail. He adds, "this interrogation, confrontation can take place even if I am out on bail."

Maneshinde continues arguing for Aryan, says, "Nothing has been found. Not a single ounce was found with me and so should be granted bail..." He adds that HCs have been liberal in granting bail. 

Maneshinde argues that there is no connection and no valid point if the drugs are found from the people nearby, says, "I thought that NCB and its law officers would know that no materials have been found with me nor in my bag and they let me go on the first day but they didn't." 

Maneshinde cites a judgement of Bombay HC on how people who are caught with small and intermediate quantities of drugs are dealt with. He has also cited the bail order of actor Gaurav Dixit in an NDPS case. The advocate has further argued that the NCB has found nothing solid in Aryan's Whatsapp chats.

Satish Maneshinde has cited a number of judgements stating that under Section 437 of the CrPC, there is a power to grant remand or grant bail from the learned judge.

As per the latest reports, NCB Zonal Director (Mumbai) Sameer Wankhede has entered the courtroom. The hearing is underway.

While arguing in the court, the ASG has opposed the bail plea saying that there are 17 accused in the case. If anyone is left, they can tamper with the investigation. He has also raised Section 37 of the NDPS Act. Aryan's arrest was made with a small quantity, he says. 

Aryan Khan has been taken to Mumbai's JJ Hospital. His medical checkup is currently underway. 

As per the latest reports, Aryan Khan has been taken out of the NCB office. His bail application hearing is currently underway. He is expected to be en route to Arthur Road jail. 

The court assembles to hear the bail plea of Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant, Munmun Dhamecha & others.

Satish Maneshinde opposes ASG's argument, accuses him of attempting to dictate what the court should do. 

ASG questions the maintainability of the bail pleas filed. "My submission is to the first issue of maintainability. If the court decides then will argue on the bail plea," he says.

The public prosecutor has requested 15-20 minutes from the court. ASG Anil Singh is expected to argue on behalf of the NCB and oppose the bail plea. 

Hearing before Additional Metropolitan Magistrate RM Nilekar commences. NCB Counsels arrive. 

Aryan Khan's lead counsel Satish Maneshinde has reached the courtroom. Narcotics Control Bureau's counsels to arrive soon. 

On Friday, the actress took to Twitter to share a cryptic tweet over the case calling the matter 'heartbreaking'. Raveena opined that 'shameful politics was being played out' and they were toying with a 'young man's life and future.'

Bail application hearing will take place at 12.30 pm. only 3 of the accused including Aryan Khan, Arbaz Merchant, Munmun will be taken for the hearing. Rest accused will be taken to JC directly. Medical for all the accused has been done.

As Aryan Khan was brought back to NCB office after a marathon hearing, Shah Rukh Khan's manager Pooja Dadlani arrives at NCB Office

Aryan Khan & 7 others sent to 14-day judicial custody in the cruise drug bust case. 

Court said that it will hear the bail plea of Aryan Khan at 11 am tomorrow, i.e, October 8. NCB has asked to file a reply by then. 

The Court further said that all accused including Aryan Khan will stay at the NCB office till the bail plea hearing. "Jail will not accept new inmates at this hour."

Magistrate says that if NCB is ready to file their say on bail plea, the court is ready to hear the bail today itself. However, the NCB says that they will file a reply by tomorrow.

Magistrate Court says in its order that the case will now be heard by Special NDPS court. 

The lawyer reading section 437 CrPC, says that most of the accused in this case were arrested with small quantities and can be awarded just a fine if found guilty. 

Arbaaz Merchant's lawyer during the hearing said that there is 'no question of custody'. "Where is the question of custody. They are saying they want to confront. How long does it take to confront? Bring them all together and confront," he said. 

Lawyer of Munmun Dhamecha, another accused in the case, says that drugs was found in the cabin booked for Munmun. "During the screening, however, nothing was found."

Maneshinde further said, "If they find any pieces of evidence against me, I am ready to get examined. I will cooperate with the interrogation." Pointing out that Aryan has given admission that he didn't have drugs, and also there is no complaint against him, Maneshinde urged the court to grant him judicial custody.  

Maneshinde further during the hearing said that Aryan knows Arbaaz. "I don't deny Aryan's friendship with Arbaaz but he is not connected with Arbaaz's activities."

Maneshinde said, "Aryan has a friend called Pratik Gawa, who invited him as a VVIP guest as he is onnected to the Bollywood glamour world. He did not take anyone along. When he entered he saw Arbaaz and as he knows Arbaaz, he walked along with him. Maneshinde added, "By then the NCB officials came and started searching.  They asked him about the drugs, he said no. They checked his bag but got nothing."

Aryan Khan's lawyer Satish Maneshinde during the hearing asserted that every day of custody needs to be justified. Arguing he said, "Based on Aryan statement, you picked up a person (Aachit Kumar).  Yesterday after the arrest, they should have confronted Aryan and Arbaaz as they were under your custody." He added, "Question of confronting should not be the only ground for seeking custody."

NCB during the hearing argued that till today, i.e, October 7,  there has been development in the drug case. "NCB intercepted organisers, the drug peddler," the lawyer representing the Central agency said, adding that it is 'a crime of a conspiracy, and everyone has to be interrogated'. "Aachit Kumar is in custody for two days, now we need these accused to be confronted with each other," he added.  

During the hearing, NCB argued that a total of 17 has been arrested, including one foreign national. Pointing out that Aachit Kumar's name was revealed by Aryan khan and Arbaaz khan, the NCB added, "Confrontation is required for a thorough interrogation."

After Aachit Kumar, Aryan Khan and 7 other accused in the cruise drug bust case have been brought to the courtroom for the hearing. 

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Anil Singh is going to argue on behalf of the NCB in the hearing of the cruise drug bust case that is presently underway. 

The Killa court dictating order on Aachit Kumar, who is accused in the drug cartel, said, "During the custodial interrogation of Aryan and Arbaaz, Aachit's name was revealed. When NCB conducted searches at his residence in Powai, 2.6 gram of Ganja recovered. His role has been disclosed during the probe." Having said that, the court sent  Aachit Kumar to NCB custody till October 9. 

"This is an Application praying for extension of NCB Custody of above-named Respondents till 11/10/2021," says NCB in the Remand copy submitted before the Killa court. In the Remand copy, NCB has said that a 'case of conspiracy is suspected'.

During the hearing, Aachit Kumar's lawyer said that his arrest was 'illegal'. He said, "What they found from him? 2.6-gram ganja? And saying he is a part of a nexus." The lawyer added, "Somewhere this illegality has to be stopped."

Court to Aachit's lawyer- "if this is true, why are you not challenging it?"

Aachit's lawyer- "I will"

The NCB during the hearing maintained that they were just 'doing their job'. Pointing out that they have credible information, they reiterated their demand for  custody till Otober 11. 

During the hearing, Aachit's lawyer asserted that his client was made to confront with Aryan and Arbaaz. "Now what more do they (NCB) want to?" the lawyer said, requesting judicial custody so that a bail application can be moved. 

As per sources, NCB has stated that on the basis of leads given by Shah Rukh Khan's son, one Archit Kumar was arrested. 

The Narcotics Control Bureau's custody of superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha ends today, i.e, October 7. A bench of the Killa court will be hearing the case in some time. Aryan Khan and Arbaaz Merchantt have arrived at the court. Lawyer Satish Maneshinde has requested to meet Aryan Khan. 

Sources have informed Republic Media Network that the NCB is to seek custody of the three accused- Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant, and Munumun Dhamecha till October 11. They were detained on Saturday, October 2, and were put under official arrest on October 3. 

Sources told Republic Media Network that NCB is going to seek further custody of  Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant in cruise drug bust case. 

Before the hearing, Aryan Khan's lawyer Satish Maneshinde had requested the court for permission to speak to Shah Rukh Khan's son. The same has been approved. 

The  Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Saturday busted a high-profile drug party on a cruise ship en route from Mumbai to Goa. The party allegedly involving celebrities, including actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan, was busted by the NCB after an eight-hour-long operation. Cocaine, Hashish, MDMA, and other drugs were recovered, and eight including Aryan Khan were detained.

After a 15-hour-long interrogation, the detainees were put under official arrest. Of the eight, Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant, and Munmun Dhamecha were produced before the Killa court on 7 October and were remanded police custody till 7 October. The other five- Nupur Satija, Ishmeet Singh Chadha, Mohak Jaiswal, Gomit Chopra, and Vikrant Chhokar - were produced before the Court on October 4, and were also sent to police custody till October 7.

On the basis of information gained during their interrogation, the police arrested four others - Shreyas Nair, Abdul Sheikh, Manish Darya, and Avin Sahu - and they have been sent to police custody till October 11. Meanwhile, four others -Gopal Jee Anand, Samir Sehgal, Manav Singhal, and Bhaskar Arora - who are said to be organizers were arrested from Delhi on October 5, and have been sent to police custody till October 14. 

Also, on October 6, they arrested one Achit Kumar from Powai, and on October 7, a foreign national from Bandra in follow-up operations. They are yet to be produced before the court. With this, the number of arrests has climbed up to 18.