Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede on Monday denied allegations of demanding a bribe from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan during proceedings before the Bombay High Court, calling the claims baseless and unsupported by evidence. The denial comes in response to a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case accusing him of seeking ₹25 crore in connection with the 2021 cruise drug bust involving the actor’s son.

Appearing before the court through his counsel, Wankhede categorically stated that he neither demanded nor accepted any bribe from Shah Rukh Khan or his family at any stage of the investigation. The allegations stem from a CBI First Information Report (FIR), which claims that Wankhede and others sought money in exchange for allegedly sparing Aryan Khan from the high-profile case.

Wankhede’s counsel, advocate Aabad Ponda, argued that even if any private individuals were involved in financial dealings, such actions could not be attributed directly to the former officer. The defence maintained that there is no concrete evidence linking Wankhede to any demand or receipt of ₹25 crore, stressing that the accusations are speculative and lack substantiation.

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The legal team also pointed out that the original FIR names certain private individuals as recipients of alleged payments, and does not establish Wankhede’s personal involvement in such transactions. They argued that the prosecution has failed to demonstrate any direct connection between the officer and the alleged bribery or extortion attempt.

The case originates from a 2025 CBI FIR that accuses Wankhede and four others of criminal conspiracy, bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and extortion. The allegations are linked to the 2021 raid on a cruise ship off Mumbai, during which Aryan Khan was arrested along with others on drug-related charges. He was later granted bail and subsequently cleared of all charges.

The investigation has since expanded, with the Enforcement Directorate also registering a money-laundering case based on the CBI FIR. The Bombay High Court has earlier granted Wankhede interim protection from coercive action, and the matter remains under judicial consideration as the probe continues.

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