CBI Summons Former Anti-Drugs Officer Who Arrested Aryan Khan

Former anti-narcotics officer Sameer Wankhede has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to its Mumbai office today for questioning in connection with a corruption case.

He, however, approached the Delhi High Court today with a request to stop the summons, after which the high court granted him interim protection from arrest. He can also approach the Bombay High Court if he wants, the Delhi High Court said.

The CBI has questioned him over filing the request with the Delhi High Court when the matter should be addressed to the Bombay High Court.

The CBI said no "arrest-like" action will be taken against Mr Wankhede till May 22, and the agency can postpone the summons if he asks for a written permission from the CBI.

Mr Wankhede, who headed the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai zone, had arrested actor Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan in the alleged drugs-on-cruise case two years ago.

Mr Wankhede and others had allegedly demanded Rs 25 crore bribe for not framing Aryan Khan in the alleged drug bust, said officials.

He and the others had raided a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast in 2021.

Aryan Khan, who spent four weeks in jail, was cleared of all charges by the anti-drugs agency in May 2022 due to "lack of sufficient evidence".

Earlier, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the anti-drugs agency claimed the probe led by Mr Wankhede had lapses.

Mr Wankhede was then transferred to the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services in Chennai in May last year.