General
‘Aryan Khan started smoking Ganja as student in the US’, statement to NCB
Aryan Khan, 23, the son of Bollywood mega-star Shah Rukh Khan and producer Gauri Khan, admitted to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) that he started smoking Ganja (cannabis) in 2018 while studying for graduation in the US.
The ‘voluntary statement’ of Aryan, made under NDPS Act, 1985, Sec 67, before Ashish Ranjan, IO, is part of the final complaint lodged before the Special NDPS Court by the NCB on Friday (May 27), and came to light hours after the superstar-son was exonerated from the case.
He claimed that at that time, he was suffering from certain sleep disorders and he had read articles on the Internet informing Ganja (also known as bhaang, pot, grass, etc) could help.
Unaware of what lay in store for him ahead, Aryan revealed that he was friends with another co-accused Arbaaz Merchant since the past seven-eight years and even the latter smoked Ganja and Hashish.
At Arbaaz’s coaxing, Aryan admitted he occasionally tried smoking Hashish (Charas) but did not relish it much.
Aryan, along with his friends Pratik, Manav and Arbaaz had gone to the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal (ICT) in his Mercedes car around 15.30 (on Oct 2, 2021) to board the Cordelia Cruise, and Arbaaz had promised to bring Hashish for that party.
While crossing the check-in point at the ICT, Aryan said he was intercepted by NCB’s IO Ashish Ranjan Prasad and even introduced to the then Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede as a Gazetted Officer, subjected to a personal search after explaining his rights.
During that physical search, no drugs were recovered from Aryan and he gave up his mobile phone when demanded by the NCB.
After checking some messages, the officer asked Aryan whether he knew Arbaaz Merchant, to which he said yes – and with whom he was to share a cabin in the Cordelia Cruise ship.
When the IO asked Aryan whether he deals with narcotic drugs, he replied that he was into consumption of only natural drugs like Ganja or Hashish.
Aryan also revealed that Arbaaz had taken out and handed over a small quantity of Charas to the NCB IO Ashish Ranjan Prasad, and said whatever was recovered (from Arbaaz) was for consumption only and probably procured by him from Bandra, after which the NCB team tested the Charas with some kit and sealed it in a pouch.
Later, the NCB team thoroughly searched all the cabins allotted to Aryan and his friends, and served with a notice to appear immediately before the NCB Mumbai Office to give his voluntary statement.
In the questioning, Aryan confessed to making the ‘incriminating WhatsApp drug chats’ on his mobile phone and signed on the chats transcript.
The conversation with his friend Archit pertaining to a poker game and procurement of Weed from him in return for a Rs 80,000 loan which he (Archit) was unable to repay, through some supplier he knew in Powai and Bandra.
After all this, the stunned Aryan was arrested by NCB Mumbai Superintendent V.V. Singh on October 3, 2021, at 2 p.m. under NDPS Act, 1985, Sec 8A, 22(b), 27 and 35 – triggering one of the biggest news events of the year after the Covid-19 pandemic.
The bewildered Aryan was enlightened on the arrest charges through his Memo of Arrest which he countersigned as a receipt and the information was related to Shah Rukh Khan and his family members.
After completing the medico-legal formalities he was produced before the Sessions Court which remanded him to NCB custody and later in judicial custody, totally spending around 28 nights in the dank cell of Arthur Road Central Jail.
After he was given a ‘clean chit’ by the NCB’s Special Investigation Team on Friday, there is a huge clamour to take action against the ex-NCB Mumbai head Wankhede and his team along with certain Bharatiya Janata Party activists, who allegedly conspired to trap the unsuspecting Aryan and others in the sensational case.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Anti-Narcotics Cell takes strict action against drug peddlers, action taken against 6 smugglers so far, several cases registered

Mumbai: The Anti-Narcotics Cell has ordered the deportation of three people involved in drug trafficking. Ahmed Mohammad Shafi Sheikh alias Akbar Khao, 42, of Kurla, Mohammad Farid Rehmatullah Sheikh alias Choha, 31, of Kurla, and Sarfaraz Sabir Ali alias Bhoora, 40, of Vikhroli, arrested in a drug case in Mumbai, have been deported. A case under the NDPS is pending against them and a charge sheet has also been filed against the accused. The accused have committed the crime again after being released on bail in the drug case. The NDPS unit Ghatkopar had recommended deportation to the Home Department, which has been sealed. On this basis, Mohammad Shafi Sheikh alias Akbar Khao, 42, was sent to Nagpur Jail on March 6, Mohammad Farid Rehmatullah Sheikh alias Choha, 31, of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Jail and Sarfaraz Sabir Ali Khan alias Bhoora, 40, have been sent to Amrauti Jail. Ahmed Mohammad Shafi Sheikh A total of 7 cases have been registered under the NDPS Act against Akbar Ghau, 42, Worli, Kurla, VB Nagar, police station. A total of 6 cases have been registered against Muhammad Farid Rehmatullah, alias Choha, VB Nagar, Kurla. A total of 7 cases of NDPS have been registered against Sarfaraz Sabih Ali Khan, 40, Bandra Unit, Worli, Kurla, Kurla, Azad Maidan Unit. Since 2006, 6 accused involved in drug trafficking have been deported from the city. They have been taken into custody under the PIT NDPS Act. This action has been taken by DGP Nunath Dhole, head of the Anti-Narcotics Cell, on the instructions of Mumbai Police Commissioner Devin Bharti.
Maharashtra
Govt working to ensure uninterrupted energy supply; PM Modi says imports rose from 27 to 41 nations

New Delhi, March 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that the government is working to ensure uninterrupted oil and gas supplies amid the conflict in West Asia, while emphasising that India has diversified its energy imports, unlike in previous instances, and will continue sourcing from wherever possible.
Initially, India imported energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG from 27 countries. Now, it imports energy from 41 countries.
The Prime Minister, addressing the Lok Sabha on the West Asia crisis, spoke about the energy security concerns of the country, said, “A large quantity of crude oil, gas, and fertilisers — many essential items — come to India through the Hormuz Strait route. Since the war began, the movement of ships through the Hormuz Strait has become very challenging. Despite this, our government has made efforts to ensure that the supply of petrol, diesel, and gas is not severely impacted.”
PM Modi stated that India imports 60 per cent of its LPG requirement and due to uncertainty in supply, the Centre has “prioritised domestic LPG consumers”.
“At the same time, domestic production of LPG is also being increased. Continuous efforts have also been made to ensure that the supply of petrol and diesel across the country remains smooth,” he said.
Highlighting the steps taken by the BJP-led government in the Centre over the last decade towards energy security, the Prime Minister said, “In the past 11 years, India has diversified its energy imports. Previously, energy needs such as crude oil, LNG, and LPG were imported from 27 countries. Today, India imports energy from 41 countries.”
He further highlighted India’s strategic steps to ensure energy security amid the ongoing conflict.
In the last decade, he said that India has prioritised storage of crude oil for times of crisis and today, the country has a strategic petroleum reserve of more than 53 lakh metric tonnes. He mentioned that the work is underway to create reserves of more than 64 lakh metric tonnes. The reserves held by Indian oil companies are separate, he added.
“In the last 11 years, our refining capacity has also increased significantly. The government is continuously in touch with suppliers from different countries, making efforts to ensure that oil and gas supplies continue from wherever possible. The Government of India is keeping a constant watch on Gulf and overseas shipping routes,” he said.
“Our endeavour is that ships carrying essential items like oil, gas, and fertilisers reach India safely. We are in constant communication with all our global partners to ensure that our maritime corridors remain safe. Due to such efforts, several of our ships stranded in the Hormuz Strait have also arrived in India in recent days,” PM Modi added.
Maharashtra
Police misbehave with Shiv Sena leader and minister Shambhuraj Desai in Sitara district, Shiv Sena-BJP face to face in the House

The uproar during the election for the post of president of Mumbai’s Satara Zilla Parishad had a huge impact in the legislature on Monday. Shiv Sena MLAs became quite aggressive on this issue. As soon as Shiv Sena minister Shambhuraj Desai raised the issue in the Legislative Council, Deputy Speaker Neelam Gorhe immediately ordered the suspension of Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi. After this, Shiv Sena MLAs sat on the steps of the legislature and protested against Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi and the manner in which the elections to Satara Zilla Parishad were held. At that time, Shiv Sena MLAs raised loud slogans. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis looked quite angry due to the protest of Shiv Sena MLAs. After all this, he reached the house and spoke to Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shambhuraj Desai. After all this, a round of talks began between Shiv Sena and BJP leaders to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, it is understood that there was a phone conversation between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. At that time, Devendra Fadnavis also expressed his displeasure over the steps of the Shiv Sena MLA on the Vidhan Bhavan. Then Eknath Shinde immediately raised a counter question. Eknath Shinde expressed his displeasure over the behavior of BJP MLA Jay Kumar Gaur in Satara. It is understood that Eknath Shinde asked Devendra Fadnavis if the Shiv Sena MLA’s protest on the steps was not right, so was Jay Kumar Gaur’s behavior right. Now it is understood that a meeting will be held between Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis soon regarding this dispute. Sources also know that behind-the-scenes activities are going on to ensure harmony between the two parties. Shiv Sena ministers and MLAs became aggressive against the misbehavior in Satara. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also expressed his displeasure over this incident. He said that the secondary treatment being given to the ruling ministers and MLAs is unbearable. Not only this, the Shiv Sena minister also expressed his position to Eknath Shinde that we will resign. The MLAs and ministers said that this should be considered because we are constantly being suppressed and strangled.
The total number of seats in Sitara Zilla Parishad is 65.
BJP 27, NCP 20, Shiv Sena 15, Congress 1, Independent 2. During the Zilla Parishad elections in Sitara, Shambhuraj Desai made serious allegations of misbehavior and threats to the police, after which a ruckus has started in the House as well. Shiv Sena took an aggressive stance and protested on the steps of the Assembly, due to which there have now been rumors of differences between Shiv Sena and BJP, while efforts have also been made to resolve these differences. This claim has been made by political sources. Now Shiv Sena and BJP have come face to face on this issue.
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