Mumbai : Munmun Dhamecha and Arbaaz Merchant – Aryan Khan’s co-accused in the drugs-on-cruise case – were released on bail this morning, three days after the Bombay High Court ordered their release.
Ms Dhamecha left Mumbai’s Byculla Women’s Jail and Mr Merchant the city’s Arthur Road Jail, from which Aryan Khan, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s son was released yesterday (to much fanfare).
“She has been released from the jail after completion of all legal formalities. We are now going to file an application before the NCB (Narcotics Control Bureau) seeking permission to allow her to go Madhya Pradesh, as she hails from there,” Ms Dhamecha’s lawyer Ali Kaashif Khan told PTI.
“I am immensely happy… his mother is happiest our son has come home. Our prayers and blessings came true. We’ll obey bail conditions religiously,” Mr Merchant’s father, Aslam Merchant, told ANI.
Aryan Khan’s release had also been delayed; this was because hard copies of his release papers had to be put in the jail’s ‘bail box’, as opposed to electronic copies being shared; an archaic system that contrasts sharply with the basis of the case against him and his co-accused – WhatsApp chats.
On Thursday the High Court had granted Aryan Khan, Ms Dhamecha and Mr Merchant bail.
Bail was granted pursuant to 14 conditions being met, including the surrender of passports, a personal bond of ₹ 1 lakh each and at least one surety of a similar account. All three were also told they could not leave Mumbai without the permission of the investigating officer.
All three have also been told to present themselves at the NCB’s Mumbai office every Friday.
Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha were arrested October 3, a day after the NCB raided a cruise ship docked off the Mumbai coast and claimed to have seized drugs, including 2.6 grams of charas from Mr Merchant’s shoe, that were allegedly meant to be consumed onboard.
The anti-drugs agency listed Aryan Khan as ‘accused no. 1’ and has referred to dated WhatsApp conversations as evidence that the 23-year-old is involved with an “international drugs cartel”.
Aryan Khan’s lawyers have argued that no drugs were found on their client and that there is no concrete evidence of “conspiracy” to procure drugs.
The NCB’s case against Mr Khan and the others is itself under a cloud after allegations of payoffs against lead officer Sameer Wankhede, who is being investigated internally.
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