Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan arrested in cruise-ship drug raid

It is another shock for the Indian film industry, which is reeling from drug abuse allegations

Aryan Khan with his father Shah Rukh. Photo: Instagram

The son of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan was arrested by Indian police on Sunday over a drug raid on a cruise ship off Mumbai.

Aryan Khan, 23, and seven others were arrested after undercover officers of the Narcotics Control Bureau raided the Cordelia on Saturday as it sailed towards Goa.

Mr Khan was arrested for his involvement in the consumption, sale and purchase of contraband, police officer Vishwa Vijay Singh said.

NCB officers claimed to have recovered significant quantities of banned substances such as MDMA, ecstasy, cocaine, mephedrone and marijuana from the suspects, including two drug dealers from Delhi and Haryana.

An NCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they received a tip-off about the alleged drug party and sent undercover agents disguised as passengers on to the ship, which set sail on Saturday evening.

The vessel was allowed to continue the journey after the eight accused were taken ashore and detained.

The drug bust comes as another shock for the Indian film industry, which is reeling from allegations of widespread drug abuse.

Several Bollywood A-listers, including directors and actors, have faced allegations of drug abuse and hosting rave parties.

Shah Rukh Khan, 55, is one of the biggest film stars in India and has remained a largely non-controversial figure in his three decades of public life.

Neither the Bollywood star nor his representative commented on the allegations.

The industry was rocked last year by the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who allegedly committed suicide following a history of drug abuse. Police had arrested his girlfriend, actress Rhea Chakraborty over alleged drug possession.

The shocking death led to calls for a crackdown on drug abuse in the film industry and led to several top actresses being questioned, including Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan and Shraddha Kapoor.

India has a strict anti-drug regime to deal with those who trade, consume or possess narcotics.

Possession of small quantities such as 0.5 grams of MDMA can lead to up to six months in jail and large volumes, such as 50 grams of amphetamine, can result in prison terms of up to 10 years.

Those who are caught with large or commercial quantities of drugs, or have a history of drug smuggling can be sentenced to up to 20 years in jail or, in some cases, the death penalty.