The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has received criticism from political leaders, Bollywood celebrities and some sections of social media for handling of the drugs raid case involving  Shah Rukh Khan’s elder son Aryan Khan. However, the agency says that such talks are making them stronger.

Also Read: Will work for poor, shun wrong path, Aryan tells officials during counselling in prison

“The criticism is only making us stronger in working towards our goal to clean up drugs from the country. While the critics were busy making allegations we were carrying out an operation in which we have recovered drugs worth Rs 1 crore,” an official from the NCB told ETimes on condition of anonymity.

There have been allegations against the agency of being politically influenced.

Infact, it was revealed that Aryan, during a special counselling session under the NCB, said that he will work for the welfare of the poor and never do anything that would besmirch his name in the future.

A PTI report quoted Aryan as saying, “I will do something that will make you proud of me”, to NCB officials.

The NCB official said that such counselling sessions were the norm.

Also Read: NCB conducts raids in parts of Mumbai against drug peddlers

“We are answering their criticism by cleaning up the drugs menace. The NCB continues to conduct raids and operations to nab drug peddlers and we do have counsellors for every person who is caught in a drug case. Why are people making a big deal about Aryan being counselled? It’s a norm in such cases,” the officer told Etimes.

Aryan (23) is currently lodged in Arthur Road prison here after he was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau following alleged drug seizure from a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast on October 2.

After the arrest, Aryan along with seven other accused including two women arrested by the NCB underwent a counseling session. A special court for Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases would pass order on Aryan’s bail plea on October 20.