New Delhi: The NDPS Court has rejected the bail plea of film star Shah Rukh Khan's Aryan on Wednesday (October 20) and ruled that through WhatsApp chat, it is "reflected that he was indulging in illicit drug activities".
The special court has said that since his friend who was travelling with him was found with contraband, and he (Aryan Khan) had its knowledge, it amounted to 'conscious possession'.
"If any of the accused is released on bail, it will hamper the entire investigation," the order said.
Aryan and his friend Arbaaz Merchant were held together at the international cruise terminal, where they were to board the cruise to Goa on October 2. Six others were also arrested on the first day, and later some more people were apprehended.
Six grams of charas was allegedly seized from Merchant. The court also relied on their voluntary statements where it is alleged that they had said they were to consume the contraband together on the cruise.
"….though no criminal antecedents are there, from Whatsapp chats of Aryan Khan it is reflected that he was indulging in illicit drug activities," the court said.
"If the applicant is released on bail, there are every chances of tampering with the evidence," it ruled, adding, during the interrogation, they "disclosed" names of persons who supplied contraband to them. Thus, the court stated: "…all these facts prima facie go to show that the accused acted in conspiracy with each other."
"Perusal of Whatsapp chats reveals that there are chats of accused number 1 (Aryan) about drugs with unknown persons. There is also reference to bulk quantity and hard drugs in the chats. There is prima facie material showing that accused number 1 was in contact with persons dealing in prohibited narcotic substances alleged by the prosecution," the court said.
Notably, special judge V V Patil said, "WhatsApp chats prima facie reveals that accused number 1 (Aryan) is dealing in illicit drug activities of narcotic substances on a regular basis. Therefore, it cannot be said that accused no 1 is not likely to commit a similar offence while on bail".
In the meantime, actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan moved to the Bombay High Court for bail later in the day. The 23-year-old Aryan Khan is now lodged at the Arthur Road Jail.
The Special Judge also rejected the bail pleas of Arbaaz Merchant (26) and Munmun Dhamecha.
Aryan Khan had sought bail on the argument that there has been no recovery of possession of contraband directly from him.
