In a significant turn of events, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued summons to Sameer Wankhede, the former zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), to appear before them on Thursday. The summons are in connection with the ongoing investigation into allegations of a demand for a ₹25 crore bribe from actor Shah Rukh Khan, in exchange for not implicating his son, Aryan Khan, in a drug-related case.
CBI Summons Sameer Wankhede: Unveiling the Intricacies of the Aryan Khan Case
Reliable sources have confirmed that Wankhede, who has been named as the primary accused in the corruption case filed last week, has been called to the CBI’s Mumbai office to provide his statement and assist with the investigation.
The CBI’s inquiry into Wankhede’s role will primarily focus on various aspects surrounding the controversial raid conducted on the Cordelia cruise ship. This includes investigating allegations of granting undue authority to Kiran Gosavi, a private individual, during the NCB’s raid operation. Additionally, the CBI will delve into the claims of a demand for ₹25 crore from the Khan family, which was eventually settled at ₹18 crore. Furthermore, the probe will examine the alleged deletion of names of suspects from the original NCB “information note” and the subsequent release of certain individuals following the raid.
Wankhede, an officer from the Indian Revenue Service (IRS), was removed from his position at the NCB last year, following a vigilance enquiry that uncovered multiple irregularities within the conduct of the NCB’s raiding team, led by Wankhede, on October 2, 2021.
Aryan Khan’s Arrest: Unraveling the Innocence Amidst Mounting Controversy
It was on October 3, 2021, that Aryan Khan was arrested by Wankhede and his team on allegations of involvement in an international drug conspiracy. However, a subsequent investigation by a special enquiry team (SET) led by NCB’s deputy director general, Sanjay Kumar Singh, concluded in May 2022 that Aryan Khan was “innocent” as he was not found to be carrying any drugs during the Cordelia cruise incident.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the CBI against Wankhede, he allowed Kiran Gosavi, a witness during the raid, to operate in a manner that created the impression that Gosavi was an NCB officer.
Apart from Wankhede, the CBI FIR also names former SP of NCB, Vishwa Vijay Singh, intelligence officer Ashish Ranjan, Kiran Gosavi, and his associate Sanvile D’Souza. The CBI asserts that Wankhede, in his supervisory role, directed the involvement of Gosavi and Prabhakar Sail as independent witnesses in the proceedings against the accused. Furthermore, Wankhede instructed Singh to allow Gosavi to handle the accused while transporting him to the NCB office, thereby granting Gosavi and others significant leeway to create the visual impression that Gosavi had custody of the accused and was escorting him to the NCB office.
Seeking Justice: CBI’s Pursuit of Transparency and Accountability
The FIR suggests that this conspiracy was orchestrated to extort ₹25 crore from the Khan family in exchange for not implicating Aryan Khan. Eventually, an initial amount of ₹50 lakh was allegedly taken by Gosavi, but a portion of this sum was later returned.
As part of its ongoing investigation, the CBI is also looking into the assets acquired by Wankhede and his family. Officials suspect that these assets may not align with the declared income and are thus conducting a thorough examination to determine the source of these acquisitions.
The CBI’s summoning of Sameer Wankhede marks a significant development in the Aryan Khan case, shedding new light on the intricacies of the investigation. As the probe progresses, all eyes remain on the proceedings, awaiting further revelations that may shape the course of this high-profile case.
The summons issued by the Central Bureau of Investigation to Sameer Wankhede has intensified the scrutiny surrounding the Aryan Khan case. This latest development has sparked widespread curiosity and interest among the public, as the investigation delves deeper into the alleged demand for a staggering ₹25 crore bribe from Shah Rukh Khan in exchange for ensuring his son’s exemption from charges related to a drug case.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Wankhede, who has been identified as the primary accused in the corruption case filed last week, has been directed to appear at the CBI’s Mumbai office. This move signals the CBI’s intention to thoroughly investigate the allegations and shed light on the intricacies surrounding the controversial raid on the Cordelia cruise ship.
One of the key areas of focus for the interrogation of Wankhede will be the alleged allowance of a “freehand” to Kiran Gosavi, a private individual, during the NCB’s raid operation. This has raised eyebrows and prompted questions about the extent of Gosavi’s involvement and the nature of his authority during the raid. Additionally, the investigation aims to uncover the truth behind the purported demand of ₹25 crore from the Khan family, which was eventually settled at ₹18 crore. The CBI will also scrutinize the allegations of tampering with the original NCB “information note” by deleting names of suspects and the subsequent release of certain individuals after the raid.
The removal of Wankhede from his position as the zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau last year has already raised concerns and suspicions regarding his conduct during the raid. Following a vigilance enquiry, which highlighted multiple irregularities in the raiding team’s actions led by Wankhede on October 2, 2021, the government initiated a probe against him. These irregularities served as a catalyst for the current investigation, ultimately leading to the filing of the corruption case against Wankhede.
Far-Reaching Impact: Implications for Individuals and Public Perception
It is essential to note that Aryan Khan’s arrest, carried out by Wankhede and his team on October 3, 2021, sparked a storm of controversy and speculation. Allegations of his involvement in an international drug conspiracy reverberated throughout the media. However, subsequent investigations by a special enquiry team established his innocence, as no drugs were found in his possession during the Cordelia cruise incident.
The FIR filed by the CBI against Wankhede sheds further light on the alleged misconduct during the raid. It specifically mentions the “free hand” granted to Kiran Gosavi, creating the impression that he held an official position within the NCB. The FIR also implicates former SP of NCB, Vishwa Vijay Singh, intelligence officer Ashish Ranjan, Kiran Gosavi himself, and his associate Sanvile D’Souza. The CBI’s allegations suggest a conspiracy to extort a massive sum of ₹25 crore from the Khan family, with Gosavi allegedly receiving an initial amount of ₹50 lakh, part of which was later returned.
In their pursuit of justice, the CBI is not only focusing on the immediate allegations against Wankhede but also delving into his financial activities. The investigation includes a thorough examination of the assets acquired by Wankhede and his family. Authorities are keen to determine whether these assets align with their declared income and if any discrepancies exist.
As the CBI summons Sameer Wankhede, the spotlight intensifies on the Aryan Khan case. The public eagerly awaits further developments, hoping for transparency, accountability, and the uncovering of the truth. The outcome of this investigation will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for the individuals involved and the broader public’s perception of the case.