Aryan Khan Gets Bail After 3 Weeks, One More Night In Jail

New Delhi: Aryan Khan, the son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has been granted bail three weeks after his arrest in the drugs-on-cruise case. He will spend at least one more night in prison as his team can apply for his release only after the Bombay High Court's formal order tomorrow.

Aryan Khan, 23, was taken into custody on October 3, hours after drug raids on a cruise ship party by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The star son has been in Mumbai's Arthur Road jail since October 8 and had been denied bail twice.

Aryan Khan's friend Arbaaz Merchant and model Munmun Dhamecha have also been granted bail.

Aryan Khan's lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, former Attorney General of India, had argued in court that no drugs were found on him and that the grounds for his arrest were flimsy.

The NCB, however, claimed he was part of a conspiracy and that his WhatsApp chats revealed his involvement in illicit drug dealings.

The case ignited a debate over whether Aryan Khan's incarceration was justified, given that no drugs were found on him and there were no signs of use. Social media has been flooded with messages of support, with many calling the arrest a witch-hunt.

Aryan Khan's father Shah Rukh Khan, 55, is one of India's biggest and most-loved movie stars.

The Khans' Mumbai home, "Mannat", usually features legions of fans waiting for a glimpse of SRK, especially on his birthday November 2. In the past few weeks, scores of people showed up in solidarity, holding up posters and messages for their idol. Within the film industry, besides Salman Khan, Farah Khan and Hrithik Roshan, few others have openly showed their support.

After two bail rejections, top lawyer Mukul Rohatgi argued Aryan Khan's case before the Bombay High Court.

Mr Rohatgi said the arrest was wrong and infringed on his constitutional guarantees. He also told the court that the case against Aryan was built entirely on two-year-old WhatsApp chats that were "irrelevant" and had nothing to do with the cruise.

"These are young boys. They can be sent to rehab and they need not undergo trial," Mr Rohatgi said.