Bombay High Court Discharges Actor’s Son in NDPS Case: Rules WhatsApp Chats Alone Insufficient for Prosecution
Case Title: XYZ v. State of Maharashtra Court: Bombay High Court Date of Judgment: 2025 Bench: Justice Bharati Dangre Relevant Law: Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) Facts of the Case In a high-profile case that attracted media attention nationwide, the son of a well-known Bollywood actor was accused under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act . The prosecution claimed that he was involved in a drug-related conspiracy and alleged that he had links with drug peddlers. The main basis of the prosecution's case? WhatsApp chats. During an investigation into a drug bust on a cruise ship, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) retrieved WhatsApp messages from the actor’s son’s phone. These chats were claimed to be “indicative of drug-related conversations.” On this basis, the NCB charged him under sections of the NDPS Act relating to conspiracy and possession. However, no physical recovery of drugs was made from him. There was ...