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The Narcotics Control Bureau seized the electronic devices of Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal and his partner Gabriella Kyriacos Demetriades in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. "There was no formal seizure or confiscation of bank accounts as required by law by making order of seizure of such property with due approval from/ prior permission from the competitive authority," NDPS Judge VV Vidwans observed. National Crime Bureau was conducting an investigation into the use of drugs by several celebrities. As a result of that investigation, certain recoveries were made. NCB arrested Demetriades' brother Agisilaos in October 2020. Soon after, during a search conducted by NCB officers at Rampal's residence, some medicines were recovered.
A warrant was issued to seize their electronic devices in order to investigate them. As of earlier this month, Rampal had moved the Special NDPS Court to obtain release of his seized property on the basis that he needed it for his personal and professional use. On the pen-drive and the hard-disk of his laptop, he said, he had a lot of professional data. Similar arguments were made by Demetriades. During the search and seizure activity, NCB seized the applicants' devices, according to an attorney for the applicants. It was recorded that the applicants' statements had been made, and a charge sheet was filed against them. "The investigation is finished," he said, "and the trial will take a long time to start." Due to the seizure of the gadgets, Khan argues, the applicants are in serious financial trouble. They are ready to comply with any conditions imposed by the court, if any. Attorney Atul Sarpande strongly opposed the application, noting that the investigation was not complete as far as financial transactions were concerned even though charges had been filed against the defendants in this matter.
According to Sarpande, there is "every likelihood and possibility" that the applicant will use the items in drug-related transactions. He requested that the application be dismissed due to the gravity of the issue and the seriousness of the offence involved. The Special Judge concluded that the investigation had been completed and that the trial would take a significant amount of time. The Court observed that, while the financial investigation in the case was still ongoing, the data on the devices would always be available for investigation because it was saved in digital forms or soft copies. As a result, the plea was granted.
Tags : #BombayHighCourt #ArjunRampal #NCB
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