In a significant development, former Mumbai zone head of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Sameer Wankhede, appeared at the CBI office in Mumbai today for interrogation in the high-profile ₹25 crore bribery case linked to Aryan Khan’s arrest. This comes a day after Wankhede presented chat conversations with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, where the actor commended Wankhede’s integrity.
The Bombay High Court, on Friday, issued an order restraining the CBI from taking any coercive action against Wankhede, effectively preventing his arrest for the time being. Wankhede stands accused of allegedly demanding a hefty bribe of ₹25 crore from Shah Rukh Khan when Aryan Khan was apprehended during a cruise ship raid in October 2021. In a bid to defend himself, Wankhede submitted his conversations with Shah Rukh Khan, in which the actor beseeched him to show mercy towards his family and himself.
Wankhede’s arrival at the CBI office marks a critical turn in the ongoing investigation, shedding light on alleged irregularities discovered during a vigilance probe of the NCB. The probe revealed discrepancies between Wankhede’s reported income and expenses, including underreported foreign travel costs. Additionally, a questionable transaction involving a valuable watch and the alleged demand for the substantial bribe from Shah Rukh Khan have raised serious concerns.
The alleged bribe was purportedly routed through KP Gosavi, who was granted considerable authority in the Aryan Khan case, creating an impression of his association with the NCB.
As this high-profile case unfolds, the focus intensifies on Sameer Wankhede, the CBI investigation, and the allegations surrounding his conduct, posing significant challenges for both the former NCB official and the Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
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