Wednesday, July 13 2005 16:23 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dubai: A court in Dubai has adjourned till July 27 hearing in the case of fashion designer Prasad Bidappa, who was arrested at the Dubai International Airport last month for allegedly possessing marijuana.

This was the first court hearing for the Bangalore-based fashion designer and choreographer in which the proceedings lasted just 12 minutes.

If convicted, Bidappa, who has been behind the grooming of many top Indian models, could face upto four years in prison.

Officials at the Indian consulate had provided him with consular access earlier.

After Bidappa's arrest, his wife Judith had said the issue was not whether her husband smoked marijuana but the fact that he was found carrying it in a country, which does not permit this.

Judith said her husband was detained at Dubai Airport on June 11, "apparently with a small quantity of marijuana that was allegedly found in his hand baggage".

"He had gone to Dubai to sign a contract for an event there", she had said.