The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday assured the Bombay High Court that it would complete its ongoing probe into bribery allegations against Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede within three months. The statement came in response to the court’s strong criticism over prolonged delays in the case.
Wankhede, who served as the zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), came under scrutiny following the controversial Cordelia cruise drug bust in October 2021, during which actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, was arrested. Although Aryan was granted bail three weeks later due to lack of evidence, allegations soon surfaced that Wankhede had attempted to extort ₹25 crore from Khan’s family to avoid implicating his son.
Based on an internal report by an NCB special enquiry team, the CBI registered an FIR against Wankhede on May 11, 2022, charging him with criminal conspiracy, extortion, and bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Wankhede approached the Delhi High Court in May 2023 and secured interim protection from coercive action. He then moved the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the FIR, arguing that the NCB lacked the authority to sanction proceedings against him under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He also contended that the charges lacked substance, pointing out that no accusations of disproportionate assets were made—an essential element under Section 17 of the Act.
On Tuesday, a division bench of Justices Ravindra V. Ghuge and M.M. Sathaye expressed dissatisfaction with the pace of the investigation, sharply asking the CBI, “In how many years do you plan to finish the investigation – 10 years, 20 years?”
Senior advocate Aabad Ponda, appearing for Wankhede, said the delays were hampering his client’s career prospects, including promotions. When CBI counsel Kuldeep Patil sought additional time to obtain instructions, the bench pushed back, noting that such requests had become routine and unacceptable.
The CBI subsequently informed the court that it would conclude its investigation within three months.
Taking note of the assurance, the High Court admitted Wankhede’s petition and extended his interim protection. It also clarified that while the CBI may file a chargesheet during the pendency of the petition, it must obtain prior permission from the court before doing so.
