(rptg, with correction in para two)

New Delhi, Aug 17 (UNI) A city court today ordered that passport of Rahul Mahajan, son of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan and accused in the drug overdose case, should be released.

Rahul Mahajan had sought the court's permission for travelling abroad after his marriage, scheduled at the end of this month.

The police had filed a chargesheet against Rahul, Sahil Zaroo, Harish Sharma, Rahul's servant Ganesh and two Nigerians, Abdul Lateef Ashola Mohammad and E James Taiwo. Rahul has been charged under sections 21, 25, 27 and 27-A of the NDPS Act, whereas Sahil has been chargesheeted under sections 21, 27 and 27-A of the Act.

Ganesh and Harish Sharma face charges under sections 201 and 34 of the IPC for destruction of evidence and common intention to commit a crime, while the two Nigerians were chargesheeted under sections 21 and 27-A of the NDPS Act and 419 of the IPC.

The Nigerians, found living in India without valid documents, also have two separate cases under the Foreigners' Act registered against them.

However, another Nigerian accused Ebrahim had been left out for want of evidence.

During the investigation it was found that Sahil Zaroo had used his car for transporting drugs from Vasant Vihar to the official residence of the slain BJP leader Pramod Mahajan where Rahul was staying.

Soon after the incident where Rahul and others had consumed drugs along with liquor, Sahil had given his car for servicing with the intention of destroying the evidence. He also fled to Srinagar, the chargesheet added.

The crime scene was cleaned by accused Ganesh Kumar Sinha on the direction of Harish Sharma with the intention to destroy all evidence, according to the chargesheet.

A complaint under section 182 of IPC has also been registered against the management of the Apollo hospital for deliberately misleading the police regarding the treatment and Rahul's health status.

UNI XC VD HS1641