Framing of charges on Fardeen Khan adjourned

Mumbai, Apr 21: A special court today adjourned till May 15 the framing of charges against Bollywood actor Fardeen Khan in a cocaine case.

As soon as the NDPS court listed the matter for hearing. defence advocate Ayyaz Khan told the court that a petition seeking cancellation of lower court's order was pending in the Bombay High Court, and that till the application was not disposed off, the charges could not be framed.

Additional Sessions Judge P N Deshmukh then adjourned till May 15 the framing of charges against the actor, who was arrested for allegedly purchasing cocaine from drug peddler Nasir Abdul Karim in year 2001 at Juhu in western suburbs. Both were charged with possession of drugs.

The prosecution has filed a case against the duo and the chargesheet documented by the police showed that nine grams of cocaine was found in their possession.

However, Khan had appealed before the court to amend the charge against him as only one gram of cocaine had been found on him. But the court had rejected Fardeen's plea and now the actor will have to undergo a trial.

Under NDPS Act a person who is charged with possession of merely one gram of cocaine is liable to a jail term of six months minimum, whereas a person who is charged with possession of two grams or more is liable to 10 years rigorous imprisonment.

UNI