The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a corruption case against Sameer Wankhede, the former Mumbai zonal chief of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). Mr Wankhede had led the team that arrested Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in the alleged drugs-on-cruise case in 2021.
The CBI is conducting searches at Mr Wankhede's premises, including his residence and office, as part of its investigation into allegations of corruption and malpractice against him. The premier investigating agency has also reportedly questioned several other officials who worked with Mr Wankhede during his tenure at the NCB.
Aryan Khan was released from jail in October 2021, after spending four weeks in custody, when the anti-drugs agency failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the charges against him. However, the case remained in the spotlight due to its high-profile nature, and allegations of misconduct by the NCB officials involved.
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The CBI's move comes after a complaint was filed against Mr Wankhede by a Mumbai-based businessman, who alleged that he had demanded a bribe to settle a drug-related case against him. The complaint also alleged that Mr Wankhede had misused his position to target individuals and extort money from them.