The Bombay High Court on Monday heard submissions from former NCB Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede, who strongly denied allegations that he demanded or accepted any bribe from actor Shah Rukh Khan in connection with the 2021 cruise drugs case involving Aryan Khan. The court is examining Wankhede’s plea seeking quashing of a corruption FIR registered by the CBI in 2023.
Appearing for Wankhede, senior advocate Aabad Ponda told a bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Suman Shyam that the Indian Revenue Service officer “never demanded or took a bribe” from Shah Rukh Khan. He argued that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has no material evidence to substantiate the allegations made in its FIR.
The CBI had registered a case against Wankhede and others in May 2023 on charges including criminal conspiracy under Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, threat of extortion under Section 388 IPC, and bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
According to the FIR, the accused allegedly demanded ₹25 crore from Shah Rukh Khan to secure a clean chit for his son Aryan Khan in the drug case. However, Wankhede’s counsel disputed these claims, stating that no evidence exists to prove that any such demand or transaction ever took place.
The case dates back to October 2, 2021, when the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) conducted a raid on the Cordelia cruise ship following a tip-off about alleged drug consumption. Several individuals, including Aryan Khan, were arrested during the operation.
Ponda informed the court that the search and arrests were carried out strictly in accordance with the law.
Subsequently, the NCB filed a chargesheet against 14 accused but cleared Aryan Khan of all allegations, granting him a clean chit.
The case took a dramatic turn in 2021 when an “independent witness” alleged that certain NCB officials and others had demanded ₹25 crore to let Aryan Khan off the hook.
Following these claims, the NCB initiated an internal vigilance inquiry against Wankhede and other officials. The findings were later shared with the CBI, which formed the basis for registering the FIR against him.
Separately, the Enforcement Directorate also initiated a money laundering probe against Wankhede based on the same allegations.
After hearing initial arguments, the Bombay High Court said it would continue proceedings on Tuesday, as it considers Wankhede’s plea to quash the FIR.
