By Venkatesh Raghavan
Bombay High Court to decide on Aryan’s bail plea
Mumbai: The Special Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) court today denied bail to Bollywood super star Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan in the October 2, 2021 narcotic-related case on board a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast. It also denied bail to Aryan’s two friends namely Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha on grounds that the offence was prima facie serious in nature and did not merit any leniency. The special NDPS judge in his order also pointed out that Aryan’s WhatsApp chat conversations clearly testify that the 23-year-old youth was a regular drug user and consumed it in heavy quantities.
While counsel for Aryan pleaded that there was no drug found on his person and impeaching the youth was unfair, the prosecution lawyers countered that drug abuse was a serious offence and poses a hazard as it affects the youth of the country.
Also read: Aryan case brings focus on media glare and easy publicity yet again
Aryan who is now lodged under judicial custody in the Arthur Road jail has exercised the option of approaching the Bombay High Court with his bail plea. As per media reports, the High Court is likely to hear the bail application on Thursday. However, in the absence of confirmation, legal circles pointed out that in the interests of justice, hearing of the bail application should be expedited despite the Courts slated to enter into a vacation period owing to the upcoming festive season. Aryan has been in jail custody since October 8, prior to which he was in NCB custody.
People from the film fraternity including noted script writer Javed Akhtar adopted a sympathetic stand to the current custodial incarceration of Aryan. “Film people have to pay the price for being high profile. Rarely do people throw stones at non-entities,” he said in a press interaction. The momentum for stepping in favour of Aryan picked up with stars expressing the view that the youth’s bail application in the High Court should be speedily addressed in the interest of upholding justice and liberty.
It may be recalled that news channels, web news portals and print publications were discussing the possibility of the arrest drama that unfolded as a soft launch strategy for young Aryan’s career to take off in the film fraternity. Though many sounded skeptical about the proposed theory, there were voices sounding that it was a deliberate act to provide fodder for the upcoming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections in the forthcoming year. Amidst continuing rife speculations and a strong sympathy wave emerging in favour of Aryan Khan, all eyes will be on what unfolds in the Bombay High Court.
