Bombay High Court Grants Bail To Aryan Khan & 2 Others In Cruise Ship Drug Case

Key Takeaways

• The Bombay High Court has granted bail to Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchantt, and Munmun Dhamecha.

Background

• The three were arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) following a raid on board a luxury cruise off the coast of Mumbai and were in jail since 8 October.
• NCB has alleged that the accused are part of a larger conspiracy, Khan has international links and thus required for further interrogation to unearth the truth
• The agency further alleged that Khan is an influential person and attempts have already been made to influence witnesses and tamper with evidence.

Observations

• It was argued on behalf of Aryan Khan, represented by Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, that his arrest was made in sheer violation of Article 22 of the Constitution since he was not informed about the correct grounds for arrest.
• In this regard, Senior Advocate Amit Desai appearing for Arbaaz Merchant submitted that at the time of arrest, the trio was not booked for conspiracy. However, now, the anti-drugs agency is roping in anybody and everybody using an "umbrella charge of conspiracy" to attract the rigors on grant of bail under Section 37 NDPS Act.

Questions

• What is your opinion on the judgement?
• Do you think granting bail was justified?

Share your views in the comments section below.