The Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to IRS officer Sameer Wankhede, stating that no coercive steps will be taken against him until April 10 regarding notices issued by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with irregularities in the Sushant Singh Rajput drugs case.
Wankhede, who played a key role in investigating drug-related aspects of Rajput's death, faced preliminary inquiries over alleged irregularities during the probe.
The NCB's preliminary inquiry into Wankhede's actions stemmed from anonymous complaints regarding the drugs case related to Rajput's demise and the arrest of a Nigerian national for drug possession, both cases handled by Wankhede.
The agency issued multiple notices to Wankhede between November 2023 and March 2024, prompting him to challenge the inquiry and notices in the High Court, claiming victimisation and vengeance.
Wankhede's counsel argued that the NCB's Deputy Director General Sanjay Singh, who heads the inquiry, cannot conduct the probe as he previously approved Wankhede's actions during his tenure as the agency's western region zonal director. The court directed the NCB to respond to Wankhede's plea by April 10 and restrained any coercive action against him until then.
Furthermore, Wankhede's petition contends that the NCB cannot initiate inquiries based on anonymous complaints, highlighting the absurdity of relying on allegations made by a wanted accused, such as actor Sapna Pabbi, who is implicated in the chargesheet filed in the Rajput case. The petition denounces the move as an attempt to tarnish Wankhede's reputation and integrity.
Notably, Wankhede faces legal battles on multiple fronts, including a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case alleging extortion and bribery for purportedly seeking Rs 25 crore to shield actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in a drug bust case aboard a cruise ship. Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has lodged a money laundering case against him.
Despite these challenges, Wankhede secured interim protection from the High Court against coercive action in both cases, underscoring the legal complexities surrounding the high-profile investigations and the officer's role in them.
The court's intervention provides a temporary reprieve for Wankhede as he navigates the legal proceedings and defends his actions in the face of mounting scrutiny and allegations.
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