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The ED has accused him of allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs. 25 crores from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, in return for not framing his son in the Cordelia Drugs Cruise Ship Case
The Enforcement Directorate has informed the Bombay High Court that the agency will not arrest IRS Officer and Former NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede in the money laundering case registered against him in the Cordelia Drug Cruise Ship Case till March 1.
The division bench of the high court comprising Justice PD Naik and Justice NR Borkar was hearing the petition filed by Wankhede seeking to quash the money laundering case registered against Wankhede.
The ED has accused him of allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs. 25 crores from Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, in return for not framing his son in the Cordelia Drugs Cruise Ship Case.
Advocate Sandish Patil, appearing for the agency, informed the bench that the earlier statement of no coercive action against Wankhede can be continued as Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was to appear physically before the high court on March 1.
Accordingly, the division bench accepted the statement and also directed the ECIR to be presented before the court on the next day. The high court also adjourned the CBI’s case against Wankhede and continued the interim relief.
On the previous hearing on 15th February, after the agency had made a statement that it would not arrest Wankhede till 20th February.
During the hearing before the high court on 13th February, the agency informed the high court that the money laundering case was transferred to Delhi and that Wankhede should approach appropriate courts for relief in Delhi.
The Enforcement Directorate initiated the case against Wankhede after the CBI filed an FIR against him.
The FIR filed by CBI alleged offences under sections 7 (bribery), 7A (undue advantage to influence a public servant by illegal means), and 12 (abetment) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 388 (extortion) of the Indian Penal Code
The case relates to the investigation initiated by the NCB Unit of Mumbai, which conducted a drug seizure from a cruise heading to Goa from Mumbai. The NCB arrested 20 individuals, including Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan.
Wankhede has sought interim protection from arrest until the high court hears his petition.
Case title: Sameer Wankhede vs ED.
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