Mumbai: A local court here on Monday extended the custody of actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan and two other accused in connection with a drugs case till October 7.
Three persons - Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha - who were arrested after they were questioned in the wake of Saturday night’s raid on a cruise ship off Mumbai coast, had earlier been remanded in NCB custody till Monday.
While granting the extension in NCB custody, court agreed with the submission of the prosecution that the materials available against the accused persons need detail investigation hence their custody has been extended.
While moving the remand application Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the NCB, said that agency wants to deeply investigate the crime and extension of the custody is sought till Oct 11 to verify facts and about their links as in a society, youngsters are worst affected by the drug menace.
ASG contended that WhatsApp chats of the applicant were shocking and incriminating material was found on his phone. All these need proper time to investigate.
He has cited various court judgments justifying his arguments for the extension in custody; however, the court granted only 3 days' time to the central agency for further probe with the accused persons.
Making bail plea Aryan lawyer, Satish Maneshinde, argued that the NCB can't simply rely on WhatsApp chats and seek extended custody.
He said that there is no material on record found from Khan or people related to him.
Maneshinde had earlier said that his client was invited for the cruise party. "However, he did not have a boarding pass. He didn't have any seats or cabins there. Secondly, according to the seizure, nothing has been found in his possession. He is arrested only based on chats.
NCB brought trio in heavy police bandobast and they were present during the hearing of the bail application as well as prosecution plea for extension in NCB remand.
They were brought to the Esplanade court this afternoon after a medical checkup.
A doctor at Mumbai's JJ Hospital also took their swab for RT-PCR test during the medical examination.
The arguments on the bail plea will resume on the next date when the accused will be produced before the court. (UNI)