Snehashish roy
Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede has told the Bombay High Court that he never demanded or accepted any bribe from actor Shah Rukh Khan in connection with the 2021 drugs case involving Aryan Khan. The statement comes as part of ongoing legal proceedings linked to allegations of corruption against Wankhede.
In his submission before the court, Wankhede firmly denied accusations that he had sought money to allegedly “settle” the case involving Shah Rukh Khan’s son. He maintained that the allegations are baseless and have no supporting evidence. The case has remained under scrutiny since claims surfaced suggesting that attempts were made to extort money during the investigation.
The controversy dates back to October 2021, when Aryan Khan was arrested following a raid on a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast. The high-profile case drew nationwide attention, with the NCB investigating alleged drug use and possession. Aryan was later granted bail, and no charges were ultimately framed against him.
Subsequently, allegations emerged that certain officials, including Wankhede, had been involved in a conspiracy to extort money from Shah Rukh Khan. These claims led to an inquiry and legal proceedings, with multiple parties presenting their versions of events.
In his latest statement to the Bombay High Court, Wankhede reiterated that he acted strictly in accordance with the law during the investigation. He asserted that he had no role in any alleged extortion attempt and emphasised that he had never approached Shah Rukh Khan for any financial settlement.
Wankhede also argued that the allegations against him were part of an attempt to tarnish his reputation. He stated that he had conducted the investigation in a professional manner and that any claims suggesting otherwise were unfounded.
The case has seen several twists over time, including internal inquiries and legal challenges. The NCB itself had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to review the original probe, following which Aryan Khan was given a clean chit due to lack of sufficient evidence.
Despite this, the allegations against Wankhede have continued to be examined in separate proceedings. His appearance before the Bombay High Court is part of his effort to contest the claims and seek legal relief.
The matter has attracted significant public interest, given the involvement of high-profile individuals and the broader questions it raises about the functioning of investigative agencies. Legal experts note that the outcome of the case could have implications for accountability and transparency in such probes.
At present, the court is hearing arguments from all sides before arriving at any conclusions. Wankhede’s submission forms a key part of his defence as he seeks to clear his name in the matter.
Neither Shah Rukh Khan nor Aryan Khan has made any fresh public comment regarding the latest developments. The focus remains on the legal proceedings, which are expected to continue in the coming days.