The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a corruption case against Sameer Wankhede, the former Mumbai Zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), along with two other NCB officers and an independent witness. The case arises from allegations that Wankhede demanded a bribe to “settle the case” during the Cordelia Cruise ship probe involving Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan. The CBI initiated the investigation after receiving a report from the Vigilance unit of the NCB, which conducted a detailed inquiry into the matter.The Cordelia Cruise ship raid, led by Wankhede on 2 October 2021, resulted in the seizure of various drugs and the arrest of 14 individuals. However, as the investigation progressed, irregularities emerged, prompting the transfer of the case to a Special Investigation Team (SIT) at the NCB headquarters in Delhi. The allegations against Wankhede and the other officers involve demanding a bribe of Rs 25 crore to release Aryan Khan.In May 2022, the NCB cleared Aryan Khan of all charges related to drug procurement and consumption during the “rave party” on the cruise ship.
The decision was based on the lack of evidence indicating Aryan’s possession of drugs and his alleged involvement in an international drug trafficking racket. The initial probe failed to conduct a medical examination to determine drug consumption, and no record was made of the seizure of Aryan’s phone.Furthermore, Aryan’s statements revealed that he had consumed weed as a recreational activity during his time as a student in Los Angeles. While WhatsApp chats suggested past consumption of hash and weed, there was no concrete evidence linking Aryan to the drugs found during the cruise ship raid. Senior officials involved in the investigation expressed concerns about Wankhede’s potential bias and motives to implicate Aryan.
The registration of a corruption case against Sameer Wankhede, along with the other officers involved, underscores the seriousness with which the CBI is approaching the allegations of bribery in the Aryan Khan case. The investigation will delve into the findings of the NCB’s Vigilance department, focusing on the officers’ conduct and actions. The case brings significant attention to the integrity of the law enforcement agencies involved and highlights the importance of a fair and unbiased judicial process.