Wankhede Denies Bribe Allegations in High-Profile Cruise Drugs Case
The ongoing legal saga surrounding the controversial cruise drugs case witnessed a significant development on Monday, as former Narcotics Control Bureau officer Sameer Wankhede presented his defense before the Bombay High Court. In a strongly worded submission, Wankhede categorically denied ever demanding or accepting any bribe from Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan to spare his son Aryan Khan from prosecution.
"No Demand, No Bribe": Wankhede's Legal Stand
Appearing before a bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Suman Shyam, Wankhede's counsel Aabad Ponda asserted that the allegations leveled by the Central Bureau of Investigation are completely baseless and unfounded. Ponda argued vehemently that there exists "no evidence whatsoever" to support claims that Wankhede demanded or received a staggering Rs 25 crore bribe from Shah Rukh Khan during the 2021 cruise drugs investigation involving Aryan Khan.
The hearing pertains to Wankhede's petition seeking to quash the First Information Report registered against him by the CBI in May 2023, which charges him with corruption and bribery offenses. The former officer maintains his complete innocence throughout the proceedings.
What the CBI's FIR Alleged
According to the FIR filed on May 11, 2023, the CBI alleges that Wankhede, along with former NCB Superintendent of Police Vishwa Vijay Singh, intelligence officer Ashish Ranjan, and private individuals Kiran Gosavi and Sanville D'Souza, collectively demanded Rs 25 crore from Shah Rukh Khan. This substantial sum was reportedly sought in exchange for ensuring that Aryan Khan would not be implicated in the cruise drugs case.
The investigative agency further claims that this alleged demand was subsequently negotiated down to Rs 18 crore through discussions between the parties involved. These allegations form the core of the corruption case that Wankhede is now challenging in court.
Defense Cites Lawful Procedures and Lack of Proof
Wankhede's legal team presented a multi-pronged defense strategy during the hearing. Counsel Aabad Ponda maintained that the raid conducted on the Cordelia cruise ship was entirely legitimate, executed based on a credible tip-off received by the Narcotics Control Bureau. He emphasized that all procedures followed due legal process and adhered to established protocols.
Ponda further stated that several individuals, including Aryan Khan, were arrested in strict accordance with the law during the operation. The defense's position rests on the assertion that the raid was conducted properly and that the subsequent allegations of bribery are completely unsupported by any concrete evidence.
Aryan Khan's Arrest and Subsequent Clean Chit
The case traces back to October 3, 2021, when Aryan Khan was arrested just one day after the controversial raid off the Mumbai coast. His detention sparked nationwide media attention and intense public scrutiny. However, in a dramatic turn of events, a Special Investigation Team of the NCB later granted him a clean chit on May 27, 2022.
The SIT concluded that there was no substantial evidence linking Aryan Khan to any larger drug trafficking conspiracy. This development significantly altered the trajectory of the case and raised questions about the initial investigation's conduct.
An internal probe conducted by the NCB itself had previously flagged several procedural lapses in the investigation. The report noted that Aryan Khan and co-accused Arbaaz Merchant were added to the agency's "information note" at the very last moment. It further highlighted irregularities in documentation processes, including seizure records and statement recordings conducted by Wankhede's investigative team.
The Bombay High Court continues to hear arguments in this complex legal matter, which has captivated public attention for years. The proceedings represent a critical juncture in determining the validity of the corruption allegations against the former NCB officer and the broader implications for the high-profile cruise drugs case that has remained in the national spotlight since 2021.
