MUMBAI (Tuesday, April 7, 2026) — The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has officially clarified its stance regarding the ongoing vigilance enquiry against its former Zonal Director, Sameer Wankhede. In an affidavit filed before the Bombay High Court, the agency asserted that the investigation into alleged procedural irregularities is based on verified, “non-anonymous” complaints rather than being politically motivated or conducted at the behest of NCP leader Nawab Malik.
Key Assertions in the NCB Affidavit
The affidavit, filed by Vishal Sanap, Deputy Director General (South West Region), aims to dismantle Wankhede’s claims that he is being targeted due to his past enforcement actions.
- Source of Enquiry: The NCB confirmed that the probe was triggered by two specific, non-anonymous complaints received by the agency. This contradicts Wankhede’s assertion that the agency was acting as a tool for political vendetta.
- No Link to Nawab Malik: The agency explicitly denied receiving any communication or “behest” from Nawab Malik to initiate these proceedings. Malik’s son-in-law, Sameer Khan, had previously been arrested by Wankhede’s team, which Wankhede claims is the root of the hostility.
- Duty of Investigation: The NCB maintained that it has a statutory and administrative duty to investigate any credible allegations of “irregularities” or “procedural lapses” involving its officers, especially in high-profile cases.
The Legal Tug-of-War: Wankhede vs. NCB/CBI
Sameer Wankhede, a 2008-batch IRS officer, is currently fighting multiple legal battles across the Delhi and Bombay High Courts.
| Date | Legal Milestone | Context |
| January 19, 2026 | CAT Quashes Memo | The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) initially quashed a charge memorandum against Wankhede, calling it a “personal vendetta.” |
| February 27, 2026 | Delhi HC Stays CAT | The Delhi High Court stayed the CAT order, allowing the Centre and NCB to proceed with disciplinary action. |
| March 23, 2026 | Bribery Denial | Wankhede informed the Bombay HC that he never sought a ₹25 crore bribe in the Aryan Khan case. |
| April 7, 2026 | NCB Affidavit | NCB tells Bombay HC that the probe is based on “non-anonymous” complaints. |
The “Cordelia” Connection
The core of the dispute remains the 2021 Cordelia cruise ship raid. A Special Enquiry Team (SET) led by Gyaneshwar Singh had previously flagged several “procedural lapses” in the investigation that led to the arrest of Aryan Khan.
Wankhede has consistently argued that the SET report is biased and was designed to provide a “clean chit” to the actor’s son by suppressing material evidence. The CBI FIR against Wankhede, which he is currently seeking to quash in the Bombay High Court, is primarily based on these SET findings.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “NCB to HC: Enquiry against Wankhede based on complaints, not at Malik’s behest” (April 7, 2026).
- The Hindu: “NCB denies Nawab Malik’s role in Sameer Wankhede probe” (April 7, 2026).
- Scroll.in: “Delhi HC allows disciplinary action against ex-NCB officer Sameer Wankhede” (February 27, 2026).
- Legal Record: Sameer Dnyandev Wankhede v. Union of India & Ors. (Bombay High Court, April 2026).
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