Sameer Wankhede Says Aryan Khan Wasn't 'Bali Ka Bakra' In 2021 Drug Scandal

Former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede has spoken out about the 2021 drugs-on-cruise case that involved Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan. He denied claims that Aryan was made a “bali ka bakra” (scapegoat) and said the investigation was fair and followed the law.

In a new interview on the YouTube channel Mama’s Couch, Wankhede talked about the case that had once dominated national headlines. He couldn’t discuss Aryan directly due to a court affidavit, but gave his take on how narcotics cases are handled in India.

He said, “People have this misconception that if no drugs are found on you, there won’t be any action. 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.”

He explained that such operations involve multiple officers and detailed procedures. He said, “It’s not just Wankhede who’s doing it all. There are a lot of procedures."

The case began on October 2, 2021, when the NCB raided the Cordelia Empress cruise ship near Mumbai. The ship was allegedly hosting a rave party and was bound for Lakshadweep. During the raid, several people were detained, including Aryan Khan and his friend Arbaaz Merchant.

No drugs were found on Aryan, but he was still charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for conspiracy and consumption. His arrest triggered a huge debate across the country about media trials, privilege, and how drug laws are applied. Aryan spent 25 days in custody before being granted bail. Later, an NCB Special Investigation Team cleared him, saying there was no proof of drug use or trafficking.

Wankhede is once again in the spotlight, this time for a legal case against Shah Rukh Khan, Aryan Khan, and the makers of Netflix’s The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. The web series, directed by Aryan, reportedly features a character inspired by Wankhede. He called the portrayal “false, malicious, and defamatory” and filed a Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment.

However, the Delhi High Court dismissed his complaint on September 25, saying it was “not maintainable.”

Wankhede also reacted to old claims that he leaked private messages between him and Shah Rukh Khan during the 2021 controversy. He said, “Leaking would be the wrong word. It’s neither my habit nor am I so weak to do such things."

Stay tuned to The Filmy Charcha for more updates!