Ananya Panday was summoned by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in the agency’s office on Thursday. She was called after NCB retrieved her chat messages from Aryan Khan’s phone. Ananya Panday was asked to reach the NCB office for questioning at 2 pm on October 21.
Allegedly, the NCB claimed that the actress’ name figures in some WhatsApp chats recovered from Aryan Khan’s phone. Presumably, the actress will now be grilled by NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede and a female officer.
According to sources, Ananya’s Mumbai home was raided today by the NCB and her laptop and mobile phone were seized.
Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan, along with a few others, was arrested by the NCB on October 3. The arrest was in connection with the seizure of banned drugs onboard a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast. Ananya Panday, daughter of actor Chunky Panday, made her Bollywood debut in 2019. Ananya’s debut film was Student of the Year 2. Notably, Ananya and Aryan’s sister Suhana are best friends.
Ananya’s family is reportedly seeking legal counsel for her to reply to the NCB summons. On Wednesday, a special NDPS court rejected Aryan Khan’s bail application, following which he moved the Bombay High Court to seek relief.
Aryan Khan was sent to 14-day judicial custody on October 7 and has been lodged at the Arthur Road jail since then. Aryan’s lawyer had argued that no contraband was found on him and that he will not tamper with evidence – after the NCB strongly opposed his bail plea. The NDPS court, however, ruled that Aryan’s custody should be extended.
Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday made his first public appearance ever since his Aryan got arrested. On late Thursday afternoon, the NCB officers arrived at Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s residence for some paperwork.
Speaking about Ananya Panday being served the summons, sources revealed, ”The investigation is going on. NCB officials’ visit to a person or location for questioning does not mean the person is a culprit or being investigated. There are several procedures being followed.” So far, 20 people have been arrested in the Mumbai drug racket case.
