NEW DELHI, 14 June 2006 — Behind bars for alleged drug abuse, Rahul Mahajan’s case came up before the special court designated under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for the first time yesterday. Special Judge Swarna Kanta will consider his bail plea and that of Sahil Zarru, who is also in judicial custody for drug abuse, today. Though Rahul’s bail application was presented before the designated court yesterday, the judge decided to reserve its order on it till today. The court will also hear today the application moved by prosecution for conducting narco-analysis and brain mapping tests of Rahul.
Special court also permitted the prosecution to record before the magistrate the statement of witness Karan Ahuja, who was also present at ill-fated June 1 party held at late legislator Pramod Mahajan’s official residence in Safdarjung. The sordid drama began when the alleged drug abuse led to Rahul being rushed to Apollo Hospital in a critical state. The same party proved fatal for his father’s aide Vivek Moitra, who was declared dead at the hospital. Earlier this week, in response to a review petition filed by Delhi Police challenging the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Magistrates in trying such offenses, Special Judge N.K. Gupta directed transfer of all files, including Rahul’s bail application to a designated court under NDPS Act.†
