Fardeen Khan granted immunity in dope case

Mumbai Sessions Special Narcotics Court on Wednesday granted actor Fardeen Khan immunity from prosecution in a drug case registered against him in 2001.

Granting the immunity, special sessions Court Judge G A Sanap cautioned that the immunity will not be applicable to Khan if he is arrested on a similar offence in future.

On October 4, last year, the special court had already dropped charges framed against him for possessing over two grams of the banned 'Crack Cocaine' powder.

The court then had limited the charges to the purchase of pleasure-stimulating drug by the actor from two drug-pushers in a telephone booth in the sea-side suburb Juhu on May 5, 2001.

Khan’s arrest had created a sensation as the actor had just made his debut in the film world. During the trial, the NCB had informed the court that the two peddlers who were involved in the deal were also taken into custody. However, Khan pleaded that he was taken into custody “while trying to purchase one gram of cocaine.”

The court accepted Khan’s plea and rejected the charge of drug possession, but retaining the case of “attempting to purchase a banned substance.“

The actor whose fame crackles more due to his father Bollywood actor late Feroz Khan, underwent a de-toxification course last year before seeking immunity. The actor, who bounced back with films like ‘No Entry’, ‘Heyy Baby’, and ‘Darling’, told newspersons: “I am extremely grateful to Judge Sanap for accepting my application...My father (Feroz Khan) had he been alive would have been most happy.”