In the latest development surrounding the ongoing saga involving former Mumbai NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against him. Responding to these charges, Wankhede has expressed his surprise and vowed to provide an appropriate response in court at the right time.
The ED’s decision comes in the wake of a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR against Wankhede, stemming from an alleged demand for a hefty bribe of ₹25 crore from Shah Rukh Khan’s family to spare his son Aryan Khan in a drugs case. Wankhede’s reaction to these developments underscores the complexity and contentious nature of the case, which has garnered significant public attention.
Wankhede, a 2008-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Customs and Indirect Taxes cadre, has chosen to address the matter cautiously, citing its subjudice status. He emphasized his faith in the Indian judiciary and asserted his readiness to present a comprehensive response in due course.
The former NCB official’s legal woes began last year when the CBI booked him on charges related to seeking a bribe to allegedly shield Aryan Khan from prosecution in the high-profile drugs-on-cruise case. Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested during a drug raid on the Cordelia cruise ship in October 2021.
In the subsequent investigation, the NCB filed a charge sheet against 14 individuals connected to the case but absolved Aryan Khan of any involvement. However, allegations of bribery and extortion surfaced, implicating Wankhede and others, prompting an internal vigilance probe by the NCB.
The unfolding of events has cast a shadow over the credibility of the NCB’s operations and raised questions about the conduct of its officials. With Wankhede’s response to the ED’s charges indicating a protracted legal battle ahead, the case is poised to remain in the spotlight as it navigates through the intricacies of India’s legal system.
As the judicial process unfolds, stakeholders and observers alike will keenly monitor the proceedings, seeking clarity and accountability in a case that has captured the imagination of the nation.
Sources By Agencies
