The Bombay High Court has issued a notice to Gyaneshwar Singh, Deputy Director General of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), following a criminal writ petition filed against him in relation to alleged procedural misconduct. The case, which has drawn significant media attention due to its connection with former NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede, continues to unravel layers of complexity and intrigue.
The petition accuses Ms. Singh of overseeing drug disposal proceedings at multiple locations – Lucknow, Delhi, Indore, and Jammu – simultaneously on March 3, while he was reportedly present in Delhi. This has raised questions about the integrity of the disposal process under his supervision.
During a recent court hearing, Sameer Wankhede’s counsel argued that Mr. Wankhede was unfairly portrayed in the media regarding his involvement in the Cordelia drug case, alleging that he was instructed by senior officials, including Gyaneshwar Singh, to pursue police custody for Aryan Khan. Mr. Wankhede’s defense submitted various communications between him and senior NCB officials as evidence of his claims.
In related developments, the Bombay High Court has extended its relief to Mr. Wankhede, with no new summons to be issued by the NCB until June 11. Previously, Mr. Wankhede was granted a similar reprieve until April 10, pending an internal investigation by the NCB.
Adding to the drama, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) recently annulled all evidence gathered during the preliminary inquiry against Mr. Wankhede, which includes investigations by the NCB’s Special Enquiry Team (SET).
Furthermore, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a money laundering case against Mr. Wankhede after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR alleged a Rs. 25 crore bribe demand from the family of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan to exempt his son in a drugs-related case. The allegations led to Mr. Wankhede facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The saga began with the high-profile arrest of Aryan Khan during a raid on the Cordelia cruise ship on October 2, 2021. Although the NCB later cleared Aryan of all charges, the incident spurred an internal vigilance investigation against Mr. Wankhede, culminating in the CBI’s involvement.
As the case progresses, the legal and procedural outcomes will likely have far-reaching implications not only for the individuals involved but also for the operational practices of India’s narcotics enforcement framework. The Bombay High Court’s forthcoming decisions will be crucial in determining the next phase of this controversial case.
