Aryan Khan

It looks like our media has no better things to  do, as they were covering in the front page of all news papers Aryan Khan’s arrest in drug related case and made him a celebrity instead of telling the world that this boy of 23 years is a spoiled brat, who at this age is involved in drugs. Who is Aryan Khan and what are his credentials, other than he is the son of a famous Indian film star Shah Rukh Khan.

From the day one after his arrest from the cruise ship where he had gone with his friends for a party . In the raid conducted by Narcotics Control Bureau , Aryan Khan with his friends was arrested for dealing in drugs on the cruise ship. One of his close friend was having the procession of 6 gms of banned drug, and their phone were confiscated and it was found there were enough drugs related  chats on their WhatsApp  accounts. The media started projecting him as innocent boy of 23 year old and he is wrongly arrested in the case, as no drugs were found in his possession therefore as per law he should be declared not guilty. It was field day for all in the social media and there were several post in favour and against Aryan Khan.

Aryan Khan was first put in remand and then in judicial custody and he applied for bail. The special judge for the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases, rejected bail pleas of  his and two friends application. This court in  its order  noted that WhatsApp chats of Aryan Khan prima facie revealed that he was “ dealing in illicit drug activities on a regular basis” and therefore it cannot be said that he was not likely to commit similar offence if released on bail. The court also held that Aryan knew that his co accused friend was in possession of drugs and hence there was” conscious possession even though NCB had not found any drugs on Aryan himself.

In the mean time Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) was spending money like anything and hired a team of best legal minds in the country.

After this bail plea was applied in Bombay High Court where former Attorney General Mukul Rohtagi headed the legal time hired by SRK. In the end Aryan Khan was granted bail but  with conditions, the conditions were

• Execute a personal bond of Rs 1 Lakh with one or more surities of same amount.
• He will not indulge in any activities similar to for he was arrested.
• He should not try to establish communications with co accused or any other person involved directly or indirectly in similar activities.
• Not to leave country without prior permission, and shall surrender his passport to special court immediately.
• Not to attempt to influence any witness in the case.
• Not to make any statement to media.
• He should attend NCB Mumbai office on each Friday between 11 am to 2 pm to mark his presence.

The action of the media in this case was very objectionable, as they projected him as a victim and innocent boy of 23. On this an army officer tweeted that at the age of 23 I am sitting at Kargil and defending India’s border On the daily basis print and TV media were covering this case regularly, and media was stationed outside Arthur Road jail, where he was put, courts and SRK’s residence Mannat at Bandra, Mumbai. Media started projecting him, as if he is a big martyr  and unnecessary NCB is subjecting him to this torture of jail stay. No media said that let the law takes its course and if his offence is not serious, he will be given bail. After he was granted bail the film fraternity and media started celebrating as if he has been declared innocent and freed, where as the fact is he has come out on bail, and case will be filed against him by NCB in near future.

One thing is certain Aryan has undue publicity through this case, and it will not be a surprise if very shortly SRK or one of his friends launch him in big budgeted bollywood film.

Waiting, for your views on this blog.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

1^st November 2021                                                                                                                     168/21