Aryan Khan's Drug Case Takes a Twist

Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan, who was previously cleared of drug-related charges, is once again in the spotlight in India. Sameer Wankhede, the investigating officer in the case, now faces allegations of corruption and extortion. He is accused of demanding a bribe of 250 million rupees from Aryan Khan's family. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a complaint naming Wankhede and four others, claiming that he allowed his associates to threaten the Khan family if they did not pay the demanded amount. Wankhede denies the allegations, stating that he is being targeted for his patriotism. Aryan Khan and his family have not made any public statements regarding these recent developments.

This case began in October 2021 when Aryan Khan was arrested during a raid on a cruise ship by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The NCB alleged that drugs were seized from Aryan Khan and 19 others, leading to their detention under drug-related laws. The high-profile nature of the case, coupled with Aryan Khan's celebrity status, attracted significant media attention both in India and internationally.

Sameer Wankhede, one of the investigating officers, now finds himself facing serious accusations. The CBI's complaint alleges that Wankhede demanded a substantial bribe from Aryan Khan's family and allowed his associates to intimidate them. Wankhede strongly denies these allegations, claiming that he is a victim of persecution due to his patriotism. The Khan family has remained largely silent throughout the recent developments.

The case took a turn when Wankhede faced criticism for mishandling the investigation, resulting in his transfer from his position as the chief of NCB's Mumbai zone in November 2021. Allegations of irregularities, including extortion, were leveled against him by Nawab Malik, a politician from the Nationalist Congress Party. As a result, the case against Aryan Khan and six other pending investigations were reassigned to a special investigation team.

Although Aryan Khan was cleared of all charges in May 2022, the recent allegations against Sameer Wankhede have reignited the case. The CBI initiated an investigation into Wankhede and four others, citing improprieties during his supervision of the case. The complaint highlights irregularities in Wankhede's conduct, including the removal of suspect names from official documents and allowing civilians to pose as NCB officials during the raid. This allowed one of the civilians, KP Gosavi, to demand a bribe from Aryan Khan's family, threatening them with false drug possession accusations.

During the raid, authorities found 23,000 rupees and property papers in Wankhede's house, which he claims were acquired before his service.

As the CBI investigation progresses, it will shed light on the integrity of the initial probe and the actions of those involved. The outcome of the case will not only have consequences for the individuals directly implicated but may also impact the Indian film industry and the fight against drug abuse. The Aryan Khan drug case continues to captivate the nation, serving as a reminder of the complexities and controversies that often accompany high-profile legal battles, even for those born into fame and privilege.