Sameer Wankhede is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer who was the zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai. He was in charge of the investigation into the 2021 drugs-on-cruise case, in which Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested.
In May 2022, the CBI registered a case against Wankhede and several others on charges of corruption and extortion. The CBI alleged that Wankhede had demanded a bribe of ₹25 crores from Aryan Khan’s family in exchange for not filing charges against him. The CBI also alleged that Wankhede had forged documents and falsely claimed to be a Muslim in order to get a job in the NCB.
In October 2022, the CBI conducted raids at Wankhede’s residence and office. The CBI seized several documents and electronic evidence during the raids.
In January 2023, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Wankhede and several others in the drugs-on-cruise case. The charge sheet accused Wankhede of demanding a bribe of ₹25 crores from Aryan Khan’s family, forging documents, and falsely claiming to be a Muslim.
The CBI is currently investigating the case. Wankhede has denied all the allegations against him.
The case against Wankhede has been widely reported in the media. It has been a major controversy in India. The case has raised questions about the integrity of the NCB and the Indian government. It has also highlighted the issue of corruption in India.
The case is still ongoing. It is not yet clear what the outcome of the case will be. However, the case has already had a significant impact on Indian society. It has raised awareness of the issue of corruption and the need for reform in the Indian government.
Image credit
Central Bureau of Investigation, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons