The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a high-profile investigation into a corruption case involving Sameer Wankhede, an IRS officer, and former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer. The CBI conducted searches at 29 locations related to Sameer Wankhede, including properties associated with him.
This article delves into the details of the case, shedding light on the alleged bribe of Rs 25 crore that Wankhede and two former officers are accused of seeking from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to prevent the framing of his son, Aryan Khan, in the drugs-on-cruise case. Let’s explore the events and implications surrounding this controversy.
Background of the Case
The controversy revolves around the arrest of Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in an alleged drug bust case on the Cordelia cruise ship on October 2, 2021. This high-profile arrest received significant media attention and sparked a series of developments that captured the nation’s interest.
Allegations against Sameer Wankhede
According to the CBI’s investigation, Sameer Wankhede and two former officers are accused of demanding a hefty bribe of Rs 25 crore from Shah Rukh Khan to ensure that his son, Aryan Khan, would not be implicated in the drugs-on-cruise case. These allegations have raised serious concerns about the integrity of law enforcement agencies and their officers.
The Role of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
The NCB played a pivotal role in the initial investigation of the drugs-on-cruise case, leading to Aryan Khan’s arrest. However, subsequent developments, including the allegations against Sameer Wankhede, have brought the NCB’s actions under scrutiny. The NCB had previously filed a charge sheet in the case, giving Aryan Khan a clean chit, while an SIT (Special Investigation Team) established by the anti-drugs agency continued to probe the matter.
Who is Sameer Wankhede?
Sameer Wankhede is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer who has been involved in several high-profile cases, including the Aryan Khan drug bust case. He is a former zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the agency responsible for enforcing drug laws in India.
In 2008, Sameer Wankhede successfully cleared the UPSC examination and joined the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). He embarked on his professional journey with a posting at the Mumbai Airport as the Deputy Commissioner of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU). During his tenure, Wankhede played a pivotal role in curbing tax evasion by apprehending individuals attempting to evade taxes on goods and cash brought from other countries.
Tenure at the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
Sameer Wankhede’s notable career includes his role as the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Working with the NCB, Wankhede focused on combating drug trafficking and played a crucial part in several high-profile cases. His tenure at the NCB demonstrated his dedication to maintaining law and order and his commitment to eradicating the menace of drug abuse from society.
What is the Aryan Khan Drug Bust Case?
The Aryan Khan drug bust case refers to the arrest of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan on October 2, 2021, on charges of consuming and possessing drugs on a cruise ship. The case has garnered immense media attention and has sparked a national debate on drug use in the entertainment industry.
Sameer Wankhede Corruption Case
The CBI accused Sameer Wankhede and two former officers of seeking bribes of Rs.25 crore from Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan to help his son Aryan evade arrest. The CBI registered a case against Wankhede and others on charges of corruption, criminal conspiracy, and extortion.
The FIR against Sameer Wankhede alleges that he and his team demanded a bribe of Rs.25 crore from Shahrukh Khan to let his son Aryan Khan off the hook in the drug bust case. The FIR further alleges that Wankhede threatened to implicate Aryan Khan in the case if the bribe was not paid.
The CBI is conducting search and seizure operations at 29 locations including Mumbai in connection with the corruption case filed against Sameer Wankhede and others. The agency is likely to collect crucial evidence related to the case during these operations.
Response from Sameer Wankhede
Sameer Wankhede has denied all allegations of corruption and extortion made against him and his associates. He has stated that the allegations are false and motivated by a desire to discredit him and his team for their efforts to curb drug trafficking in the country.
Aryan Khan Drug Case Insights
The arrest of Aryan Khan, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s son, in an alleged drug bust case on the Cordelia cruise ship on October 2, 2021, made headlines across India and beyond. Since then, the case has taken several twists and turns, with new revelations and controversies emerging.
Recently, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) booked Sameer Wankhede, the former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer who headed the investigation into Aryan’s case, and four others for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 25 crore from the family members of those who had been arrested in the same case.
Aryan Khan, who was 23 years old at the time of his arrest, was accused of buying and consuming drugs at a party on the cruise ship. The NCB claimed that it had seized 13 grams of cocaine, 21 grams of MDMA, and 22 pills of MDMA from the accused. Aryan’s arrest triggered a heated debate on social media and in the news media, with some arguing that he was being targeted because of his celebrity status, while others defended the NCB’s action.
The Allegations Against Sameer Wankhede and Others
In May 2023, a new controversy erupted when a witness claimed that Sameer Wankhede, the NCB officer who headed the investigation into Aryan Khan’s case, had demanded a bribe of Rs 25 crore from his family members to drop the case. The witness, Prabhakar Sail, who was a witness in the case, alleged that Wankhede had asked him to arrange the bribe.
Wankhede denied the allegations and claimed that he was being targeted because of his caste. However, the controversy continued to simmer, with various political parties and celebrities weighing in on the matter.
The CBI’s Investigation and the Reaction of Various Parties
In December 2021, the CBI took over the investigation into the bribery allegations against Wankhede and others. The CBI registered a case against five people, including Wankhede, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI claimed that the accused had demanded a bribe of Rs 25 crore from the family members of those who had been arrested in the Cordelia case, including Aryan Khan.
