Sameer Wankhede to remain investigating officer in drugs-on-cruise case until substantial proof found against him: NCB Deputy Director General

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede will remain the investigating officer in the drugs-on-cruise case until substantial information is found against him, the agency's Deputy Director General (Northern Region) Gyaneshwar Singh said on Wednesday.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede will remain the investigating officer in the drugs-on-cruise case until substantial information is found against him, the agency's Deputy Director General (Northern Region) Gyaneshwar Singh said on Wednesday. An NCB team, led by Gyaneshwar Singh, is in Mumbai to probe allegations of corruption levelled by Prabhakar Sail, a witness in the drugs-on-cruise case.

Sameer Wankhede was questioned for about four hours on Wednesday as part of the investigation and he put forward "many facts before the team". Gyaneshwar Singh told reporters that a five-member inquiry team of NCB on Wednesday started an investigation into allegations levelled by Prabhakar Sail through an affidavit.

"We requested the Southwest region office to get notice served to key witnesses KV Gosavi and Sail but they could not be contacted. Through media, I request them to join the investigation and give evidence before the special enquiry team which is camping at CRPF mess in Bandra, Mumbai," Singh said. "Sameer Wankhede was questioned today for about four hours. He put forward many facts before the team. If necessary, more evidence and documents will be sought from him. He submitted case related documents that were sought. If needed, he will be questioned further. He will remain the investigating officer in the drugs-on-cruise ship case until substantial information is found against him," Singh added.

Sail, a bodyguard of NCB witness Kiran Gosavi, had alleged that Gosavi took Rs 50 lakh from an individual after the raid at the cruise ship. Gosavi has denied the allegations. NCB named Sail as a "hostile witness" in its affidavit in the court on Monday.

Earlier today, Mumbai Police appointed an ACP-level officer to investigate the allegations levelled against Sameer Wankhede. "All the complaints received against Wankhede will be probed by the officer. Four Police stations in Mumbai have received such complaints so far," Mumbai Police said.

An NCB team busted an alleged drugs party on the Cordelia Cruise ship which was on its way to Goa on October 2. A total of 20 people including Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, have been arrested in the case. (ANI)

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