Aqeel has been framed: Family, friends

Mumbai, June 6 (UNI) Family and friends of popular Indian disc jockey Aqeel, who was detained at the Dubai International airport last evening for allegedly possessing the banned ecstasy drug, have claimed that the incident was aimed at framing him.

Aqeel, a well known face in the Dubai party circuit, ran into trouble when the UAE authorities, on a tip-off, intercepted him and his wife Farah Khan at the airport and found two capsules of the banned drug in his possession.

Subsequently, he was detained by the authorities on charges of drug trafficking under the stringent anti-drug trafficking norms in the Arab Kingdom and is expected to undergo a series of medical tests.

Incidentally, in 2001, the DJ's cousin and Bollywood actor Fardeen Khan too was arrested for possessing cocaine by the Narcotics Control Bureau and the case is still pending.

Meanwhile, Aqeel's mother-in-law Zarine Khan, in a statement here said, ''Aqueel doesn't do drugs and it is a sinister attempt by some people to frame him. My son-in-law and daughter are aware of the tough anti-drug regulations of the UAE.'' Aqeel was the DJ in the recent high-profile wedding of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. He is credited for his catchy remixes in the Shahrukh Khan remake ''Don'' and several other films.

He was in the UAE for a programme at the Trilogy Club for the release of his latest remix album. He is married to Farah Khan, daughter of actor and producer Sanjay Khan.

In the past, several high profile celebrities have been caught with drugs. They include Farhan Azmi son of Samajwadi Party Mumbai president Abu Azmi, Bonny, son of automobile designer Dilip Chhabria, and Shaan, grandson of Bollywood producer G P Sippy who were caught with drugs in Dubai.

UNI