No jail if actor opts for de-addiction

Had the Bombay high court accepted the arguments of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), actor Fardeen Khan's nightmares would have only begun. But he can now leave the incident behind, and may be let off without a jail term, even if he is convicted.

Had the Bombay high court accepted the arguments of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), actor Fardeen Khan's nightmares would have only begun. But he can now leave the incident behind, and may be let off without a jail term, even if he is convicted.

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The NCB's decision to charge Khan and Nasim Abdul Karim Shaikh for collectively possessing nine grams of the banned substance seized from Shaikh compelled the actor to take up a fierce legal battle.

After the court's verdict of upholding the trial court's decision, the battle is almost won for Khan since even if convicted, he faces a jail term of only six months.

Besides, a person charged with possessing small quantity of contraband material can also seek immunity from prosecution if he proves that he is addicted to the drug and expresses willingness to go for a de-addiction course.