Drug case: HC relief for Fardeen Khan

Mumbai: In a major relief to Fa rd e e n Khan,the B o m b ay High Court on Wednesday held that the Bollywood actor has to stand trial only on charges of attempting to buy one gram of cocaine.Justice J H Bhatia dismissed the Narcotics Control Bureaus application for applying more serious charges against Khan relating to possession of 9 grams of cocaine.

For Fardeen arrested in an alleged drug bust case nine years ago this means that he will have to face less serious charges.Under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act,possession less than two grams of contraband is a minor charge,which is punishable with a maximum sentence of six months.The NCB had been insisting that Fardeen should be charged with possession of 9 grams of cocaine,which is punishable with a jail term of 10 years.

The NCB arrested Fardeen in May 2001,in Juhu for attempting to buy cocaine.The NCB arrested two others,Nasir,the man who was allegedly selling the cocaine to Fardeen.
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