Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede has publicly addressed the controversial 2021 drugs-on-cruise case involving Superstar Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, refuting the widespread notion that Aryan was made a “bali ka bakra” (a scapegoat).
In a recent conversation on the Mama’s Couch YouTube channel, Wankhede defended the arrest, maintaining that the action was taken strictly “by the book,” and emphasized that a person can be taken into custody on drug-related charges even without the direct possession of any substance.
Possession Not a Prerequisite for Arrest
When questioned about the 25-day custody of Aryan Khan despite no drugs being found on him, Wankhede explained the legal rationale behind the action, although he avoided naming Aryan due to an affidavit submitted to the Bombay High Court preventing him from speaking directly about the case to the media.
“People have this misconception that if no drugs were found on you, there won’t be any action,” Wankhede stated. He elaborated on the law, stressing that the entire drug supply chain—from the manufacturer and supplier to the individual intending to buy—should be arrested. “The law entails that the entire chain should be arrested. No matter who is the one who has the possession.”
“Isme Bali Ka Bakra Koi Banta Nahi Hai”
Responding directly to the host’s question about whether Aryan was a scapegoat, Wankhede firmly denied the claim. “Isme bali ka bakra koi banta nahi hai (There is no scapegoat in this),” he said. He added that an investigation is conducted “After a lot of thought… on the basis of conscious possession, there is some electronic evidence, there is some statement,” and that a lot of procedures are involved.
Background of the Case and Clean Chit
Aryan Khan was arrested in October 2021 by the NCB team led by Wankhede following a raid on a rave party aboard the Goa-bound Cordelia Empress cruise ship off the Mumbai coast. He spent over three weeks in jail before being released. Later, in May 2022, Aryan was given a clean chit in the drugs case by the NCB’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) due to a “lack of sufficient evidence.”
Defamation Suit Against the Khans
The former officer also addressed the ongoing legal friction with the Khans. Wankhede had recently filed a defamation suit against Aryan and Shah Rukh Khan over their show, The Ba*ds of Bollywood, claiming a character on the series was a false, malicious, and defamatory parody of him. Wankhede sought ₹2 crore in damages. However, the Delhi High Court recently heard the defamation suit and found the complaint not maintainable.
Wankhede also denied accusations that he leaked his conversations with Shah Rukh Khan during the case proceedings, stating, “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.”