Introduction:

Sameer Wankhede, an Indian Revenue Service officer and former zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), is currently embroiled in a legal turmoil. He has approached the Bombay High Court to quash a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the 2021 Cordelia cruise ship drugs case. The ED’s action follows a criminal case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), accusing Wankhede of allegedly demanding a ₹25 crore bribe from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan to avoid implicating his son Aryan Khan in the same drugs case.

Arguments of Both Sides:

Wankhede, through advocate Karan Lalit Jain, seeks the quashing of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and requests protection from arrest until the petition is heard. The CBI, on the other hand, contends that Wankhede engaged in bribery, undue advantage, abetment, criminal conspiracy, and extortion, as per the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

Court’s Judgment:

The division bench of Justices PD Naik and NR Borkar is set to hear the petition on February 15. This case adds another layer to the legal saga, as Wankhede had previously filed a petition seeking the quashing of the CBI FIR, receiving interim protection in May 2023, with a condition prohibiting him from publishing case-related material.