38.6c New Delhi, India, Wednesday, July 03, 2024
Judiciary

Bombay High Court Disapproves Leaked Information on Witnesses in Case Against Sameer Wankhede

By Harshvardhan Sharma      24 July, 2023 11:20 PM      0 Comments
Bombay High Court Disapproves Leaked Information on Witnesses in Case Against Sameer Wankhede

The Bombay High Court has expressed its disapproval on disclosing information of witnesses to be summoned by the CBI probe in its probe against IRS officer Sameer Wankhede on charges of extortion and bribery in connection with the cruise ship drug bust case.

A division bench of Justices A S Gadkari and S G Dige sought to know who was leaking such information since the media reports attributed these details to the CBI sources.

A petition filed by Wankhede, former zonal director of the Mumbai unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau, seeking a direction to quash the CBI case lodged against him.

The CBI alleged that Wankhede and four other accused had demanded Rs 25 crore bribe from actor Shah Rukh Khan for not framing his son Aryan Khan following alleged seizure of drugs from a cruise ship.

In May, the HC provided Wankhede interim protection from coercive action in the case.

Wankhede's counsel Aabad Ponda told the court a news report has revealed the witnesses that would be summoned in the case by CBI.

"Following court directions passed earlier, Wankhede has given an undertaking that he would not speak to the media or reveal any probe related information. The reason being this is a sensitive case. But the same sanctity should be maintained from the other side too," Ponda said.

Advocate Kuldeep Patil, appearing for the CBI, said no officer from the Central agency had revealed anything to the media.

The HC bench, however, questioned how the press knew which witness was going to be summoned.

"The rule made applicable to the petitioner (Wankhede) is equally applicable to you (CBI). Tell us who is informing the press. A press reporter publishes something with some responsibility...it is not done casually. The report says CBI source," Justice Gadkari said.

Kuldeep Patil also said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta would be appearing in the case for CBI.

Wankhede and the other accused in the case have been booked for criminal conspiracy and extortion threats under the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act for bribery.

Aryan Khan and several others were arrested in October 2021 for alleged possession, consumption and trafficking of drugs. Later, Aryan Khan was granted bail by HC after spending three weeks in jail.

The NCB, which subsequently filed its chargesheet, did not name Aryan Khan as an accused in the case citing lack of evidence.

The NCB then set up a special team to carry out an inquiry into the case and against its own officers.

The CBI lodged the FIR on May 11, 2023 on allegation of demand of bribe in Aryan Khan case.

Wankhede, who headed the probe team, filed the plea in the High Court for quashing the FIR lodged upon a complaint by the NCB, saying it has been registered after more than one and half year on blatantly false motive with ill-will to harass him, as the investigation in Aryan Khan case was conducted under direct supervision and control of his seniors on hourly basis. He also said the Mumbai police had already conducted a probe on similar charges and closed the case.



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

Kedarnath Movie: Bombay High Court Dismisses PIL To Stay Release Kedarnath Movie: Bombay High Court Dismisses PIL To Stay Release

The Bombay High Court on December 6, 2018, dismissed a petition filed against upcoming movie Kedarnath seeking a direction to stay the release of the movie

Husband Can Also Claim Alimony/Maintenance From Wife: Bombay High Court Orders Woman To Pay Alimony To Ex-Husband [Read Order] Husband Can Also Claim Alimony/Maintenance From Wife: Bombay High Court Orders Woman To Pay Alimony To Ex-Husband [Read Order]

Husband Can Also Claim Alimony/Maintenance From Wife: Bombay High Court Orders Woman To Pay Alimony To Ex-Husband || "It is open for the court to decide the application filed by the husband under Section 25 of the 1955 Act, seeking monthly maintenance, by way of final proceedings, pending which, the application for interim maintenance filed under Section 24 of the Act of 1955, has been rightly entertained by the learned Judge and the husband has been held entitled to interim maintenance while the proceedings under Section 25 are pending," she noted.

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik Approaches Supreme Court Against ED Arrest After Bombay High Court Refuses Relief Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik Approaches Supreme Court Against ED Arrest After Bombay High Court Refuses Relief

Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik Approaches Supreme Court Against ED Arrest After Bombay High Court Refuses Relief || "There is something or the other going against every leader of the NCP, Congress and Shiv Sena... Prime Minister Narendra Modi has one thing in mind: he wants BJP rule from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, irrespective of the wishes of the people," Pawar said.

Salman Khan Approaches Bombay High Court Challenging Summons By  Lower Court Against Complaint of a Journalist Salman Khan Approaches Bombay High Court Challenging Summons By Lower Court Against Complaint of a Journalist

The magistrate court issues the process if it finds prima facie substance in the allegations made in the complaint. Once the process is issued, the accused persons have to appear before the court.

TRENDING NEWS

jharkhand-hc-takes-suo-moto-action-against-universal-lexisnexis-for-error-in-new-criminal-law-publication
Trending Judiciary
Jharkhand HC takes suo moto action against Universal LexisNexis for error in New Criminal Law Publication [Read Order]

The High Court of Jharkhand orders Universal LexisNexis to correct a crucial error in the new Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, to prevent miscarriages of justice.

02 July, 2024 11:26 AM
new-criminal-laws-criticised-for-hasty-implementation-and-superficial-changes
Trending Vantage Points
New Criminal Laws criticised for hasty implementation and superficial changes

Senior Advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani critiques India's new criminal laws, highlighting their hasty implementation, lack of substantial reform, and potential legal ambiguities.

02 July, 2024 11:42 AM

TOP STORIES

dda-not-sharing-info-on-lgs-visit-on-tree-felling-site-sc
Trending Judiciary
DDA not sharing info on LG's visit on tree felling site: SC

SC rebukes DDA for lack of info on LG’s visit to tree felling site, urging immediate transparency and action to protect Delhi’s green cover.

27 June, 2024 01:32 PM
oral-dying-declaration-without-doctors-certification-admissible-if-victims-conduct-shows-fit-state-of-mind-jharkhand-hc
Trending Judiciary
Oral dying declaration without doctor’s certification admissible if victim’s conduct shows fit state of mind: Jharkhand HC [Read Judgement]

Jharkhand HC rules oral dying declarations admissible without doctor's certification if the victim's conduct shows a fit state of mind, upholding a murder conviction.

27 June, 2024 01:41 PM
west-bengal-bar-council-declares-july-1-as-black-day-in-protest-against-new-criminal-laws
Trending Legal Insiders
West Bengal Bar Council Declares July 1 as Black Day in Protest Against New Criminal Laws [Read Resolution]

West Bengal Bar Council declares July 1 as Black Day to protest new criminal laws, calling the acts "anti-people, undemocratic, and draconian”.

27 June, 2024 01:54 PM
bci-urges-bar-associations-to-refrain-from-strikes-over-new-criminal-laws
Trending Legal Insiders
BCI urges Bar Associations to refrain from strikes over new criminal laws

BCI urges Bar Associations to avoid strikes over new criminal laws, promises committee for amendments amid widespread concerns.

27 June, 2024 02:38 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email