Kochi: Investigation of many sensitive drug-related cases including that of ‘drug on cruise’ have been shifted from the control of NCB Mumbai chief Sameer Wankhede to special investigation team (SIT) in Delhi. At least six cases including that of Shahrukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan investigated by Wankhede have been moved out of Mumbai unit amidst Wankhede facing allegations of Rs 8-crore payoff. The alleged high-end lifestyle of Wankhede is also seen as a reason for the new developments.
Just technical, says NCB
A special team led by another official will probe cases involving Aryan and that of Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik’s son-in-law. Speaking to a national news channel, Wankhede said that the cases were shifted out of Mumbai on the basis of the request made by him. Wankhede had appealed before the Bombay High Court seeking a probe by CBI, NIA or similar agencies, he told the TV.
Sameer Wankhede removed from 5 cases including the Aryan Khan case.
There are 26 cases in all that need to be probed.
This is just the beginning… a lot more has to be done to clean this system and we will do it.— Nawab Malik نواب ملک नवाब मलिक (@nawabmalikncp) November 5, 2021
Wankhede was in the middle of allegations after the arrest of Aryan Khan in connection with a drug-related case. Nawab Malik and an NCB witness Prabhakar Sail made Rs 8 crore pay off allegations against Wankhede. The NCB also held an internal probe against Wankhede on different charges. Malik had earlier said that Wankhede used shirts worth Rs 50,000.
After the news of change in the investigation broke this evening, Malik tweeted “this is just the beginning”.
