Aryan Khan being made ‘scapegoat,’ NCB remand misleading, says Arbaaz Merchant’s lawyer

Arbaaz Merchant. Pic/Shadab Khan

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Monday demanded an extension of custody of Aryan Khan and two other accused of the Mumbai cruise drug raid case till October 13.

The NCB told the Killa Court that there could be an involvement of an international drug cartel in this case, therefore, they will need more time to investigate and unearth other details.

Earlier, the NCB had said that they have obtained "incriminating evidence" including WhatsApp chats that show that Aryan Khan was part of the drug nexus.

However, Adv Taraq Sayed appearing for accused number 2 Arbaaz Merchant said that the NCB remand is misleading as it is silent on the quantity of the drugs and whom it was found on.

Also Read: Cruise drug raid case: NCB seeks custody of Aryan Khan, others till October 13

Lashing out at the NCB, Sayed said that they have recovered 5 grams of Charas from the three accused but later, MDMA and cocaine was added to the remand. He also said that NCB was not seeking custody on WhatsApp chats that took place years ago; it was seeking custody on seizure.

Sayed added that the NCB did not show the panchnama yesterday and he needs to see it first. The current remand application is giving the anti-drug agency the room to manipulate the case, he went on.

He further said that accused number 1, Aryan Khan is being made a scapegoat in this case because nothing was found on or seized from him and the agency is only claiming that he was going to consume.