Aryan case probe official Wankhede reaches Delhi, denies being 'summoned'
Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 Oct, 2021 10:49 AM
New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Mumbai Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, who led the cruise drug bust relating to superstar Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan but now faces bribe allegations, reached Delhi on Monday evening but denied that he had been summoned by any agency.
Surrounded by media persons, as he arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, said that he is absolutely stand by his investigation.
"I came for some works in the city," he said, while denying any summons by anyone.
As many as 20 people, including Aryan Khan, were arrested after the NCB team busted an alleged drugs party on the Cordelia Cruise ship.
Sparking off a major controversy, a witness in the case on Sunday accused the NCB of allegedly demanding bribes from Shah Rukh Khan to release his son.
The witness, Prabhakar Sail, openly stated on various TV channels that he feared a threat to his life from none other than Wankhede.
Meanwhile, the NCB vigilance unit head, DDG NR, Gyaneshwar Singh said that the agency will initiate an inquiry into the allegations of "extortion" made by the independent witness in the drug case.
Singh said that he will record the statements and analyse the evidence submitted by the witness, Sail, and later make a comprehensive report and submit it to the NCB.
On being asked whether Wankhede will remain in the position as it can impact the inquiry, he said: "We will make a decision on the evidence found during the inquiry."
"We are a professional agency and whenever we notice a thing to be enquired, we will do the inquiry," he said. The vigilance chief added that they would continue to fight the drug menace despite the personal attacks and accusations against the anti-drug trafficking body.
It was believed that Wankhede has been summoned to the national capital by the NCB Director General to provide an explanation into the stunning allegations leveled by the cruiser ship raid's "panch witness" Sail on Sunday, but the agency has termed it as a routine meeting with the top brass.
Barring Deepa Mehtas 1996 film "Fire", which featured Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, average Indian cine goers could hardly recall a film on same-sex relationship of two women, until the poster of the upcoming film "Sheer Qorma" was unveiled last week.
Singer Sona Mohapatra has turned producer for a documentary film that traces her journey as a rock star and her music of protest. Titled "Shut Up Sona", the film will be screened at the Jio Mami 21st Mumbai Film Festival with Star on October 21.
Farah Khan's next directorial venture will be produced by Rohit Shetty, and the project has grabbed headlines because it marks the collaboration between two heavy-duty Bollywood filmmakers.
Karan Johar's "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" was released exactly 21 years ago, on October 16. The film, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji, continues to hold a special place in the hearts of generations of Bollywood buffs.
Kareena Kapoor Khan latest guest on her radio show “What Women Want” is actress Kalki Koechlin. The two divas were spotted recording the episode on Tuesday.
