Mumbai: In a major relief after 26 days in custody, the Bombay High Court granted bail to Aryan Khan in a cruise ship drug case. Arbaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha were also granted bail in the case. The accused will get the detailed order copy tomorrow. 

Former AG Mukul Rohatgi, who represented Aryan Khan, told reports on the premises of the Bombay HC, "Bombay HC has granted bail to Aryan Khan, Arbaz Merchant, Munmun Dhamecha after hearing the arguments for 3 days. The detailed order will be given tomorrow. Hopefully, all they will come out of the jail by tomorrow or Saturday". 

ASG Anil Singh, appearing for Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), opposed the bail during the hearing.  He told the court that the arrest was legal. "The "Conspiracy is difficult to prove, the conspirators know how they conspired. I leave it to the conscious of the court," he told the court in his concluding submissions. 

Justice Justice Nitin Sambre was hearing the bail petition filed by Aryan Khan and three other accused. The Session Court had dismissed the bail plea on October 20 on the ground that WhatsApp chats of Aryan Khan will be indicated. 

Aryan Khan was arrested by the NCB on October 2, 2021, after the NCB raided a cruise en route to Goa from Mumbai.

Khan was charged with offences under Section 8(c), 20(b), 27, 28, 29 and 35 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. He had been remanded to NCB custody till October 4 which was extended till October 7, 2021.

On October 2, NCB's zonal director Sameer Wankhede led a team of officers for a raid at the International Terminal of Mumbai Port Trust from where the Cordelia Cruise liner was to depart for Goa

Eight people were detained after the NCB allegedly seized intermediate and small quantities of cocaine, MDMA (ecstasy), charas and Rs 1,33,000 cash.