Mumbai: Famous actor’s Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan did not get bail and the order was reserved till Wednesday i.e October 20, sending him back to jail.
The decision came after the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) told the court that Aryan Khan is a regular consumer of drugs, as the bail hearing of Aryan Khan resumed for the second day.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, representing the central agency, referred to on-record statements to claim to the court that “he (Aryan Khan) used to consume it for the last few years”.
Arguing against giving Aryan Khan bail, Mr Singh also threw in dramatic appeals for good measure, telling the court “this is the land of Mahatma Gandhi… this (drug) abuse is affecting young boys”.
In response Amit Desai, arguing for Aryan Khan, acknowledged the dangers of drugs, particularly on younger people, but stressed “whatever action is taken, it should be within the ambit of the law”.
“… very important to remember we fought for freedom, we fought for the Constitution, to maintain freedom of people and their rights. We can’t ignore rights and can’t take action without law,” he said.
Mr Desai said that under the NDPS there were provisions for both “severe punishment for illegal trafficking” and “reformative approach for those people who are addicted”.
“I am not saying my client is (an) addict… I am just reading that document. I am not saying anything personally but I am talking about the Supreme Court, the legislature and the government, and they have accepted that provision of punishment will be decided on basis of quantity,” he said.
The defence’s case is that Aryan Khan did not have drugs on him when he was arrested.
Mr Desai also reminded the court (this was in response to ASG Anil Sinha calling for strict action against celebrities and influencers) that the Bombay High Court hat said “… everyone is equal before the law (and) each case has to be decided in its own merit, despite the status of the accused”.
On the question of WhatsApp chats recovered from Aryan Khan’s phone, he said conversations between friends can often appear suspicious given the kind of language young people use today.
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