The arrest of Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, in 2021 made headlines across the country. It happened after a high-profile drugs raid on a Goa-bound cruise. Recently, former NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede spoke about the case. He addressed claims that Aryan was made a “bali ka bakra” (scapegoat) and reacted to allegations of leaking Shah Rukh Khan’s chats.
In October 2021, Aryan, along with friends and other partygoers, was taken into custody after the NCB raided the Cordelia Empress cruise heading to Lakshadweep. The case attracted massive media attention. Aryan spent over three weeks in jail before he was granted a clean chit. Sameer, who led the NCB team, has consistently defended the actions taken during the investigation.
Sameer Wankede Says Aryan Khan Wasn’t A Scapegoat In 2021 Drug Case
Talking to Mama’s Couch YouTube channel, Sameer explained why arrests were made even without direct possession of drugs. “People have this misconception that if no drugs were found on you, there won’t be any action. If someone has been caught with drugs, then someone must have manufactured it, someone must have supplied it, and there must be someone who is intending to buy it. Do you think that we should not arrest those who manufacture them, or those who are intending to buy them because both of them will not be in possession of drugs? The law entails that the entire chain should be arrested. No matter who is the one who has the possession.”
When asked if Aryan was made a scapegoat, Sameer said, “Isme bali ka bakra koi banta nahi hai (There is no scapegoat in this). After a lot of thought, there is a conscious possession, there is some electronic evidence, there is some statement, so on the basis of that, the investigation is done…It’s not just Wankhede who is doing it all, there are a lot of procedures.”
On Claims Of Leaking Shah Rukh Khan’s Chats
Sameer also responded to the claims about leaking Shah Rukh Khan’s chats. He said, “Leaking would be the wrong word here. It’s neither my habit, nor am I so weak to do such things. I don’t need to do such things.”
The discussion comes months after Sameer filed a defamation suit against Aryan, Shah Rukh Khan, and the makers of Netflix’s The Ba***ds of Bollywood. He claimed a character in the show parodied him and sought Rs 2 crore in damages, along with injunctions. The Delhi High Court recently ruled the complaint as not maintainable.
Reflecting on the drug case, Sameer reiterated, “Everything was done strictly by the book.” He added that arrests can happen even when someone does not have drugs directly in their possession.
Meanwhile, SRK is busy with his next film, King. On the other hand, Aryan Khan is enjoying the success of his directorial debut Ba***ds of bollywood. Season 2 of this show is already in the works.
