38.6c New Delhi, India, Saturday, August 23, 2025
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
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:

About:

Advocate Harshvardhan Sharma, founder and Editor-in-Chief of LawStreet Journal, is an award-winning ...Read more

Follow:
FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram


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

if-governor-does-not-declare-on-withholding-assent-for-time-immemorial-court-still-powerless-sc-poser-to-centre
Trending Judiciary
If Governor does not declare on withholding assent for time immemorial, court still powerless, SC poser to Centre

SC asks if Governor can withhold assent to Bills indefinitely, raising concern that legislature may be rendered defunct without judicial remedy.

22 August, 2025 12:41 PM
sc-widens-scope-of-suo-motu-hearing-on-stray-dogs-menace-suspends-previous-order-against-relocation
Trending Judiciary
SC widens scope of suo motu hearing on stray dogs menace; suspends previous order against relocation

SC expands stray dogs case to pan-India, suspends earlier relocation order; allows release after vaccination, bans unregulated feeding.

22 August, 2025 01:06 PM

TOP STORIES

sc-dismisses-plea-against-quashing-fir-in-case-of-suicide
Trending Judiciary
SC dismisses plea against quashing FIR in case of suicide of then MP Mohan Delkar

SC dismisses plea against quashing of FIR in ex-MP Mohan Delkar suicide case; Bombay HC’s 2022 order stands, no interference by Supreme Court.

18 August, 2025 12:21 PM
no-automatic-arrest-on-rejection-of-anticipatory-bail-supreme-court
Trending Judiciary
No Automatic Arrest on Rejection of Anticipatory Bail: Supreme Court [Read Order]

SC clarifies that rejection of anticipatory bail doesn’t mean automatic arrest; custody depends on investigation, conduct, and case facts.

18 August, 2025 12:27 PM
court-holds-surgeon-guilty-of-indulging-in-black-magic-during-hearing-sentenced-till-rising-of-court
Trending Judiciary
Court holds Surgeon guilty of indulging in black magic during hearing; sentenced till rising of court [Read Order]

Delhi court convicts surgeon for disrupting proceedings with ‘black magic’; sentenced till rising of court with ₹2,000 fine after apology.

18 August, 2025 12:40 PM
want-bravehearts-to-be-in-forces-sc-for-giving-insurance-cover-to-cadets-discharged-during-military-training
Trending Judiciary
'Want bravehearts to be in forces,' SC for giving insurance cover to cadets discharged during military training

SC seeks insurance cover, rehab and higher aid for cadets injured during military training, stressing need to support bravehearts joining armed forces.

18 August, 2025 04:00 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email