Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding the arrest of Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan in the 2021 drugs-on-cruise case. Dismissing claims that Aryan was made a “bali ka bakra" (scapegoat), Wankhede defended the agency’s actions, insisting that every step taken during the high-profile investigation was strictly within the framework of the law.
Sameer Wankhede Refutes ‘Scapegoat’ Allegations
In a recent interview on the YouTube channel Mama’s Couch, Wankhede addressed the case that dominated national headlines for months. Though bound by an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court not to discuss Aryan directly, he offered broad insights into how narcotics investigations operate — and why possession of drugs is not the only legal criterion for arrest.
“People have this misconception that if no drugs were found on you, there won’t be any action," he explained. “If someone is caught with drugs, then someone must have manufactured it, someone must have supplied it, and someone must have intended to buy it. The law requires that the entire chain be investigated. So, no, there was no scapegoat. Every arrest was based on conscious possession, electronic evidence, and statements."
Wankhede clarified that such operations involve several officials, multiple layers of verification, and careful documentation — not personal discretion. “It’s not just Wankhede who’s doing it all. There are a lot of procedures," he added, countering accusations that the case was mishandled or motivated by bias.
Aryan Khan’s Arrest and Aftermath
Aryan Khan’s arrest on October 2, 2021, following a raid on the Cordelia Empress cruise ship off the Mumbai coast, had sparked massive public outcry. The cruise, bound for Lakshadweep, was allegedly hosting a rave party when the NCB detained several individuals, including Aryan and his friend Arbaaz Merchant.
Despite no drugs being recovered from Aryan’s possession, he was arrested under conspiracy and consumption charges and spent 25 days in custody before being granted bail. Months later, he was given a clean chit by the NCB’s Special Investigation Team, which found no evidence linking him to drug consumption or trafficking.
Wankhede’s Legal Battle Against Shah Rukh Khan and Netflix
Recently, Wankhede has found himself back in the headlines — this time as the plaintiff in a defamation suit against Shah Rukh Khan, Aryan Khan, and the makers of Netflix’s The Ba***ds of Bollywood. The series, directed by Aryan, allegedly parodies a character resembling Wankhede, prompting the former officer to demand ₹2 crore in damages from Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix.
Calling the portrayal “false, malicious, and defamatory," Wankhede’s plea sought an injunction against the show’s broadcast. However, on September 25, the Delhi High Court dismissed the complaint, deeming it not maintainable.
“I Don’t Leak Conversations," Says Wankhede
Wankhede also addressed allegations that he had leaked his private chats with Shah Rukh Khan during the 2021 controversy. “Leaking would be the wrong word. It’s neither my habit nor am I so weak to do such things," he stated firmly.
While the legal dust around Aryan Khan’s case has long settled, Wankhede’s latest remarks have reignited discussions around celebrity accountability, investigative ethics, and the blurred lines between legality and perception in India’s high-profile cases.
