The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a significant step in the ongoing saga surrounding former Mumbai Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede. On Saturday, the ED registered a case against Wankhede and initiated an investigation into allegations of money laundering against him. Additionally, three NCB officers have been summoned by the ED for questioning in connection with the case.
This development comes in the wake of serious allegations leveled against Wankhede last year. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had booked Wankhede for allegedly demanding a hefty bribe of ₹25 crore to refrain from implicating Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, in a drug-related case. The CBI revealed that a deal had been struck for ₹18 crore and raised concerns about Wankhede’s assets not being commensurate with his known sources of income.
The charges against Wankhede and other NCB officials include criminal conspiracy and extortion, in addition to bribery charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI’s complaint stemmed from allegations within the NCB itself, further complicating the matter. Moreover, the FIR copy highlighted discrepancies in Wankhede’s expenditures during foreign trips, casting doubt on his financial integrity.
In response to these allegations, Wankhede has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he is being targeted unfairly for his patriotism. The former NCB official gained notoriety for his role in raiding Cordelia Cruise and arresting Aryan Khan on October 2, 2021, in connection with an alleged drug case. However, despite the NCB filing a charge sheet against 14 individuals involved in the incident, Aryan Khan was exonerated of any wrongdoing.
Seeking recourse from legal avenues, Wankhede, a 2008-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer of the Customs and Indirect Taxes cadre, has approached the Bombay High Court to secure protection against any coercive actions by the ED. The unfolding events surrounding Wankhede underscore the intricate complexities of law enforcement and the judiciary in India, particularly within the high-stakes realm of celebrity scandals and allegations of corruption.
As investigations by multiple agencies continue to unfold, the case against Sameer Wankhede remains a focal point of scrutiny and debate. With each new revelation, the public’s perception of law enforcement agencies and their officers hangs in the balance, highlighting the critical importance of accountability and transparency in upholding the rule of law.