Aryan Khan has been denied bail once again by a special court in Mumbai. Court ruled that WhatsApp chats reveal his involvement in illegal drug activities and his “nexus with suppliers and peddlers”, and that releasing him would stymie investigations.
The 23-year-old is in Mumbai’s Arthur Road jail since October 8. His lawyers have now approached the Bombay High Court for bail.
According to court Aryan Khan’s WhatsApp chats indicated “he is dealing in illicit drug activities of narcotic substances on a regular basis”. Court further expressed the concern that it could not be said Aryan is not likely to commit similar offences while on bail.
“This is not the first time when Aryan Khan is involved in illicit drug activities. There is ample evidence in the form of Whatsapp chats of Aryan Khan with foreign national and unknown persons dealing in drugs. Incriminating material…show the nexus of Aryan Khan with suppliers and peddlers,” said the court. It further added that Aryan appeared to be part of a “larger network” even though no drugs were found on him.
The court order also revealed that the Whatsapp chats of Aryan Khan “with unknown persons” referred to ‘bulk quantity’ and ‘hard drug’. “There is reference of hard drugs and bulk quantity in the Whatsapp chats which cannot be meant for consumption, with unknown persons who are suspected to be part of international drug racket,” reported the order.
Even though Aryan’s lawyers Satish Maneshinde and Amit Desai argued that no drugs were found on him the anti-drugs agency claimed strong evidence from his WhatsApp chats that he had links with an international cartel and had sourced drugs for years.
The court further said that drugs were found on Aryan Khan’s friend Arbaaz, and that amounted to “conscious possession”.
“…though no contraband is found in possession of accused no. 1, 6 grams of Charas was found in possession of accused no. 2 of which accused no. 1 was having knowledge (of) and thus it can be said that it was in conscious possession of both the accused,” said the court.
Aryan Khan, his friend Arbaaz Merchant and 6 others were arrested after disguised officers of NCB raided a rave party on a cruise ship off Mumbai on October 2. Since then, the number of arrests has gone up to 20.
