Self-employed businessman Imran Khan, also known as “King Khan,” has appealed his conviction and sentence for possession of methamphetamine.

Khan appeared before Judge, Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu in the High Court this afternoon.

He is seeking an order to set aside his conviction and sentence, or have the sentence substituted with a non-custodial penalty.

His lawyer, Shayal Kant, informed the court that they had filed 30 grounds of appeal.

Khan was sentenced by Magistrate Yogesh Prasad to four years and three months’ imprisonment in June this year , with a non-parole period of three years, after he was found in possession of 4.1364 grams of methamphetamine.

The drugs were concealed in a modified water bottle inside his vehicle in 2023.

The appeal challenges the fairness of the trial process, the handling of evidence, and the severity of the sentence imposed.

The defence also submits that, after judgment was delivered, it sought to reopen the case based on what it describes as new and material evidence.

However, the application was refused by the Magistrate.

The defence argues that the refusal resulted in a denial of procedural fairness and a miscarriage of justice.

It also contends that the sentence imposed was excessive in the circumstances of the case.

The matter has been adjourned to the 28th of September for mention, to check the availability of court transcripts and to consider Khan’s application for bail pending appeal.