An FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against a former zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Sameer Wankhede, reveals shocking allegations of threatening Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s family in connection with his son Aryan Khan’s narcotics case. The FIR states that Wankhede demanded a payment of ₹25 crores from Shah Rukh Khan, threatening to frame Aryan Khan in a narcotics case if the amount was not paid.
Wankhede gained national attention after the arrest of Aryan Khan and others during an alleged drug bust on a cruise ship in Mumbai in October 2021. However, he now faces serious allegations of corruption and criminal misconduct. The CBI’s FIR raises concerns about Wankhede’s foreign trips and the purchase and sale of expensive wristwatches. The investigation found that Wankhede and Ashish Ranjan, a former intelligence officer with the NCB, could not provide sufficient justification for their acquired assets based on their declared income. The FIR also questions Wankhede’s declaration of expenditure on foreign travel, suggesting possible misdeclaration.
Apart from Wankhede, the FIR names four other accused individuals: Vishwa Vijay Singh and Ashish Ranjan, former senior officers with the NCB, as well as KP Gosavi and his associate Sanvile D’Souza. KP Gosavi, known for his selfie with Aryan Khan after his arrest, was a witness in the drugs-on-cruise case. The FIR highlights Gosavi’s unauthorized presence and access to the accused, raising questions about the violation of norms for an independent witness.
The CBI’s FIR uncovers a conspiracy to extort ₹25 crores from Shah Rukh Khan’s family by threatening to accuse Aryan Khan of possessing narcotics. Eventually, the amount was settled at ₹18 crores, with ₹50 lakhs taken as a bribe by KP Gosavi and Sanvile D’Souza. However, a portion of the bribe money was returned. The FIR alleges that Wankhede requested Vishwa Vijay Singh to allow KP Gosavi to handle the accused, creating a visual impression of Gosavi having custody of Aryan Khan while escorting him to the NCB office.
These allegations were previously raised by former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Nawab Malik, currently imprisoned on corruption charges, as well as Prabhakar Sail, a witness in the drugs-on-cruise case who passed away last year. Wankhede, who was transferred to the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services in Chennai last year, claimed to be a victim of punishment for being a patriot following the recent CBI raids at his residence.
Aryan Khan spent 22 days in jail before the NCB cleared him of charges due to a lack of sufficient evidence. The separate probe into the allegations against Wankhede and his team was initiated amid the widespread uproar surrounding the case. These developments have raised significant concerns about the integrity and conduct of law enforcement officials involved in high-profile cases, emphasizing the importance of a fair and transparent judicial process.
