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: Successful seminar by All India Muslim Women to create awareness among Muslim women

Mumbai: The All India Muslim Women’s Association organized a two-day seminar at the Saboo Siddik Musafir Khana in Mumbai to foster awareness among Muslim women and take significant steps toward their empowerment and self-reliance. During this gathering, women were apprised of matters concerning religion, worldly affairs, and current events. Addressing the assembly, Dr. Asma Zehra stated that the event was organized in response to the pressing need for awareness in these turbulent times; educational awareness, in particular, is crucial, so the seminar highlighted the true purpose and significance of education. The event saw the participation of female educators not only from Mumbai but also from across Maharashtra and other parts of the country. Dr. Zehra emphasized that education is what brings about awareness in our generations; thus, the seminar was held to enlighten young women and girls, familiarizing them with professional dynamics and societal roles. She noted that while the government attempts to marginalize minorities—pushing for new laws and the implementation of measures like the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)—this very pressure has awakened the Muslim community. The government’s persistent targeting of Muslims has served to fully alert the community, making them vigilant and wary of every maneuver. The seminar aimed to promote education, foster self-reliance among women and girls, and raise awareness regarding women’s rights in society. Farid Shaikh, head of the Mumbai Peace Committee, played a leading role in this event. He stated that the objective of the seminar was to empower women and boost their morale; consequently, this two-day event was organized in Mumbai, drawing the participation of over 500 teachers, women from various fields, and prominent figures from across the country, ultimately proving to be a success.
Maharashtra
Mumbai: Fear of demolition drive on slums from October 1

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi, addressing a press conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, demanded an immediate halt to the action against slum structures exceeding a height of 14 feet. He stated that this policy aims to target slum areas such as Mankhurd-Govandi, Malad-Malwani, Kurla, and Saki Naka. He questioned why action is being taken against these residents when they are eligible to vote. Azmi also demanded action against the officials responsible for allowing these unauthorized constructions. He remarked that such policies are formulated specifically to target slums—particularly those inhabited by minorities—and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to immediately stop this move. He noted that the BMC’s directive regarding the 14-foot height limit has created uncertainty and distress among residents, raising concerns about potential law-and-order issues; therefore, he urged the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of these slums before taking any further action. Speaking about the Election Commission and the FIR, Azmi has branded the Election Commissioner himself a fraudster and a thief, stating that the manner in which irregularities and misappropriation took place has now become evident; consequently, he has demanded the Election Commissioner’s arrest. Additionally, Azmi has called for immediate relief to drought-stricken districts, a formal declaration of drought in Maharashtra, and urgent financial and necessary assistance for farmers. He noted that the UP elections are approaching and announced plans to launch a campaign in Mumbai for natives of North India, while also urging them to participate in the UP elections.
Maharashtra
Mumbai Property Cell and Crime Branch conduct major operation, four more arrested in MPSC Drug Inspector exam question paper leak case

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) conducted a screening test on March 22, 2026, for 154 posts of Drug Inspector (Group B) under the Food and Drug Administration cadre across six examination centers in Maharashtra. A case was registered at the Cuffe Parade Police Station regarding the breach of the examination paper’s confidentiality and the unauthorized leaking of the question set for financial gain.
The Special Investigation Team of the Property Cell, Crime Branch, Mumbai, is investigating the matter. Based on a technical investigation, two candidates who obtained the question paper through illegal means have been arrested, along with two intermediaries.
The investigation revealed that copies of the question sets selected by experts were prepared in the MPSC’s confidential room and subsequently leaked illegally for financial gain. Previously, Under Secretary Abhijit Landge, Assistant Room Officers Vishweshwar Nakte and Gopal Marathe, Kautilya Academy Director Pravin Patil, intermediaries Amrit Patil and Lokesh (alias Gaurav) Patil, and candidate Rituja Patil had been arrested in connection with this case. Further investigation led to the arrest of candidates Sajid Sandhe (Sangli) and Vijay Kangar (Buldhana)—who had obtained question sets through illegal means—as well as Sandeep Khalte and Bhairunath Kadam (Navi Mumbai), who acted as intermediaries; they were arrested on September 22, 2026, by the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Branch’s Property Cell.
With this action, the total number of accused arrested in the case has reached 11.
The operation was conducted under the guidance of Police Commissioner Deven Bharti, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Anil Kumbhare, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Krishnakant Upadhyay, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Raj Tilak Roshan.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Sadanand Rane and Police Inspector-in-Charge Mangesh Desai led the investigation, with police officers from the branch playing a pivotal role in the inquiry.
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