Shah Rukh Khan’s son bailed after drugs arrest

Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan walked out of a Mumbai prison yesterday, nearly a month after he was arrested in a drugs raid.

Mr Khan, 23, was driven in a convoy of cars to his home in the city. The actor had hoped to be released a day earlier, but his lawyers missed a deadline to complete the paperwork in time.

He was granted bail by the Bombay High Court on Thursday after spending 28 days in jail following his arrest during a police raid on a cruise liner as it sailed off the coast of Mumbai on October 2.

Dozens of his supporters gathered outside the jail gates amid heightened police security.

The celebrity’s arrest has gripped the nation, with television channels running non-stop coverage.

Mr Khan’s home in Mumbai was festooned with lights but closed to the public after hundreds of his fans celebrated on the surrounding streets.

The court set out 14 conditions for his bail, including a personal bond of 100,000 rupees ($1,335) and barred him from leaving the country.

Mr Khan has to present himself before investigators every Friday and seek police permission should he wish to leave Mumbai.

He and seven others arrested during the raid on the cruise ship are accused of the sale, consumption and procurement of banned substances.

They are also charged with conspiracy under India’s anti-narcotics laws.

No drugs were found on his person and he has pleaded his innocence.

But investigators from India’s Narcotics Control Bureau claimed to have found incriminating WhatsApp messages sent from his mobile phone that link him to an international drug ring.

A lower court denied Mr Khan bail last week after deciding that the WhatsApp chats were evidence that could link him to a drugs network.