Actor Fardeen Khan Held Guilty of Trying to Buy Drugs
Daijiworld Media Network
Mumbai, Oct 4: Bollywood actor Fardeen Khan has been found guilty of trying to buy cocaine back in 2001, as per the ruling of a Mumbai court here on Tuesday October 4.
The sentence will be pronounced on November 2 by a sessions judge.
The special court framed charges against Fardeen under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act which carry a maximum punishment of six months and fine up to Rs 10,000 or both.
The court, however, ruled out charges that he had possessed more than two grams of cocaine.
"I have been charged only with attempting to buy cocaine. Charges pertaining to possession of cocaine have been dropped," Fardeen told reporters outside the court.
The actor added that he was happy with the verdict as he had appealed in the court against charges of possessing drugs.
"This is something we have been appealing to the court for the last 10 years. I am extremely happy about how things are going," he said.
Fardeen was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on May 5, 2001 for possessing cocaine and was charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Two others, Nasir Shaikh and Tony Gomes were also arrested for allegedly selling the drugs.
The NCB had earlier claimed that Fardeen and Nasir had possessed nine grams of drugs. The actor refuted the charge and said that he had tried to buy only one gram of cocaine.
On Tuesday, the court charged Nasir and Tony under provisions that may invite imprisonment between one and 10 years and a fine of up to Rs one lac.
According to the NDPS Act, less than two grams is considered a small quantity. An accused can face up to six months in prison for possessing a small quantity of the drug.
Fardeen, the actor-son of the late Feroz Khan, took to acting in 1998 with "Prem Agan" for which he won the Filmfare best debutant award. Since then, he has starred in over 20 films including "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya", "Jungle", "No Entry", "Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega" and others.