Fardeen Khan freed in cocaine case

The sessions court on Wednesday granted actor Fardeen Khan immunity from prosecution in the 2001 narcotics case, in which he was busted while buying cocaine.  The actor’s application under Section 64 (A) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was accepted by the court.

Special judge G A Sanap said that Fardeen was immune from prosecution at this stage. Khan had provided the certificates of a government hospital, which showed that he underwent a de-addiction programme and had come out clean. The court also made it clear that in future if Khan is arrested for a similar offence, he would lose his immunity.

In October last year, the court had framed charges against Fardeen for attempting to buy one gram of cocaine from another accused in the case.

Khan subsequently entered a detoxification programme, and filed an application in the court for immunity.

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had arrested Khan in Juhu on May 5, 2001, on charges of possessing cocaine.

According to the NDPS Act, less than two grams is considered a small quantity, and the accused faces a maximum of six months in jail.

“I wish my father was alive to see that I am out of this case. After 11 years of battle, I have got immunity, and am very thankful to the judge for this decision,” said an elated Fardeen Khan outside the court premises.